Switzerland has reached the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Murat Yakin's team deservedly defeated Algeria 2-0 in the round of 32, celebrating their first victory in a World Cup knockout match since 1938.
Algeria, on the other hand, missed out on their first-ever victory in a World Cup knockout match. For the "Desert Foxes," this still marks the end of an overall successful tournament, after celebrating their first qualification for the knockout phase since 2014.
Manzambi sets up Embolo's opener
The North Africans started the match bravely and had their first clear-cut chance after just six minutes. Following a low cross from Rafik Belghali, Houssem Aouar was free to shoot from the penalty spot but sent the ball well wide of the left post.
Algeria won many duels in the early stages and repeatedly gained possession high up the pitch. All the more surprising was Switzerland's opening goal:
In the 10th minute, Johan Manzambi surged with great pace towards the defensive line, bypassed Aissa Mandi, and perfectly set up Breel Embolo, who only had to tap in from close range.
For Manzambi, this was already his fifth goal contribution in his fourth World Cup match.
Plenty of action before the break
With the goal, Switzerland increasingly took control. Denis Zakaria tested Luca Zidane shortly after (15'), before the Monaco captain headed the ball over the crossbar following a Vargas free-kick (37').
Shortly after, Mandi prevented a potential second goal with a superb sliding tackle on Embolo (39').
Before the break, Algeria came back into the game. A deflected shot from Fares Chaibi caused Gregor Kobel no problems (43'), before Ibrahim Maza squandered a good opportunity in stoppage time.
Dream start settles the match
The second half began perfectly for the Swiss. Just 50 seconds after the restart, Algeria failed to clear a low cross from Zakaria. Ramy Bensebaini, in an attempt to clear, played the ball directly into the path of Dan Ndoye, who fired in low from 15 yards to make it 2-0 (46').
Riyad Mahrez squandered the best chance to pull one back shortly after. Following a cross from Belghali, the veteran struck it first-time, but Zakaria decisively threw himself into the shot (50').
Subsequently, Switzerland presented themselves as extremely composed. Murat Yakin's team kept possession for long periods, took the pace out of the game, and allowed almost nothing defensively.
Rieder misses chance for 3-0
In the closing stages, the Swiss even had several opportunities to seal the victory. Fabian Rieder initially failed with a long-range shot against Mandi, who cleared off the line (75').
Just six minutes later, the Augsburg player then squandered arguably the biggest chance of the game. After a cross from Zakaria, Embolo missed the ball, leaving Rieder completely free at the far post in front of an open goal, but he actually put the ball wide (81').
It remained inconsequential. Switzerland comfortably held onto their lead, thus reaching the World Cup round of 16 for the fourth time in a row and simultaneously ending a historical drought: For the first time since their success against the German Reich at the 1938 World Cup, the Swiss have won a knockout match at a World Cup again.
In the round of 16, the Swiss will face either Colombia or Ghana next Tuesday (10:00 PM CEST) again at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver. Their opponent will only be determined tomorrow, Saturday.
