Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 to reach World Cup last 16

VANCOUVER: Switzerland moved into the last 16 of the World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Algeria on Thursday, with Breel Embolo scoring early before Dan Ndoye added a second after the interval.

The result sent Murat Yakin’s side through to a next-round meeting in Vancouver against either Colombia or Ghana. It was Switzerland’s first win in the knockout stage since 1938.

Facing an Algeria side led by Vladimir Petkovic, who coached Switzerland from 2014 to 2021, the Swiss absorbed pressure early and looked to hurt their opponents on the counterattack. That approach paid off in the 10th minute when Switzerland won the ball in their own half and broke down the left through 20-year-old Johan Manzambi, whose square pass allowed Embolo to finish from close range.

After going ahead, Switzerland dropped into a compact shape out of possession with a five-man midfield, restricting Algeria’s space and making it difficult for them to create openings. Algeria’s clearest chance of the first half came in stoppage time, when Ibrahim Maza dragged a snap shot wide of the near post.

Switzerland doubled their lead soon after the restart. An attack down the right ended with a weak clearance by Rafik Belghali falling to Ndoye, who placed his effort beyond goalkeeper Luca Zidane. Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez then had an opportunity to reduce the deficit, but his shot from a central position was blocked by a defender.

With Granit Xhaka directing Switzerland’s defensive organisation, Yakin’s team reverted to ceding possession and trying to break quickly. Algeria, wary of conceding again, were reluctant to commit too many players forward. In the closing stages, Swiss substitute Fabian Rieder missed a clear chance when he scuffed his shot back across goal, allowing Zidane to prevent further damage.

Embolo said Switzerland’s finishing had been decisive. “We couldn't underestimate Algeria and we had to be clinical, that clinical finishing made the difference today.”

He added “It gave us the energy we needed in the first half. We could have been even more ruthless in the second half. We played with great maturity. We have to stay humble and keep working.”

Ndoye, who completed an impressive display with Switzerland’s second goal, said he had been waiting for the moment after a spell out of action before the tournament.

“Before the World Cup, I hadn't played for a long time, so I had to get back into the swing of things. I was really looking for that goal, and sometimes when you look for it too much, it doesn't come.”, he added.

He further stated “Today, I started playing by telling myself, 'Just play the way you know how, don't overthink it,' and it came naturally. Our strength is knowing how to play as a team”.

After the match, Mahrez said Algeria had paid heavily for mistakes and announced his retirement from international football.

“The goal was to progress, and I think it was a game that was within our reach. We conceded two goals on mistakes, and at this level, we pay dearly for that”, he added.

Asked whether the defeat was his final World Cup appearance, he said “It's my last appearance even with the national team. It was my last game”.