Switzerland beat Algeria to reach World Cup last 16

VANCOUVER: Switzerland moved into the FIFA World Cup last 16 with a 2-0 victory over Algeria on Thursday, scoring once in each half in a match shaped by a disciplined tactical approach from Murat Yakin’s side.

Breel Embolo gave the Swiss an early lead before Dan Ndoye added the second soon after the restart, sending Switzerland through to a round-of-16 tie next week in Vancouver against either Colombia or Ghana.

Swiss strike early and control the game

Facing an Algerian team coached by Vladimir Petkovic, who was in charge of Switzerland from 2014 to 2021, Yakin set his side up to soak up pressure and break quickly. That plan paid off in the 10th minute when Switzerland won possession in their own half and launched a counter-attack down the left through 20-year-old Johan Manzambi. He delivered the ball across goal for Embolo, who finished from close range.

After going ahead, Switzerland altered their shape out of possession, dropping into a five-man midfield to close spaces and limit Algeria’s room to build attacks. Petkovic’s team found it difficult to create openings, with their clearest chance of the first half coming in stoppage time when Ibrahim Maza pulled a shot wide of the near post.

Ndoye doubles the advantage after the interval

Switzerland extended their lead shortly after halftime. An attack down the right was not properly cleared by Rafik Belghali, and the ball fell to Ndoye, who guided his effort beyond goalkeeper Luca Zidane.

Algeria had an immediate chance to respond, but captain Riyad Mahrez struck straight at a defender from a central area. Switzerland then returned to their earlier approach, conceding possession while looking to threaten on the counter, with Granit Xhaka directing the team’s defensive organisation.

Algeria were cautious about committing too many players forward as they chased the game, wary of being exposed again. Switzerland could have added another goal late on, but substitute Fabian Rieder missed from a favourable position, scuffing his effort back across goal and allowing Zidane to deal with it.

The result sealed Swiss progress after a controlled display in front of a sell-out crowd at BC Place, where the closing stages were played in a subdued atmosphere as the outcome became increasingly clear.