Switzerland defeated Algeria 2-0 to reach the round of 16 World Cup in style | World Cup 2026 news

Switzerland remained unbeaten at the 2026 World Cup and will face either Colombia or Ghana in the next round.

Switzerland striker Breel Embolo struck early and striker Dan Ndoye added a second as his side cruised to a 2-0 win over Algeria on Thursday and into the last 16 of the competition. FIFA World Cupwhere they will face either Colombia or Ghana back in Vancouver next week.

Murat Yakin’s Swiss side showed skill, flexibility and snares in Algeria before knocking them down with two goals that decided a tournament that was short on excitement, but full of intrigue and emotion.

Against a familiar opponent in Algerian coach Vladimir Petkovic, who spent seven years in Switzerland between 2014 and 2021, Yakin set his team to take the challenge and hit the break, and that’s what he did.

Their opening was as simple as it was effective.

The Swiss won the ball in their own half and sent 20-year-old Johan Manzambi from the left on the counter, and Embolo pointed the ball into the net from close to 10 minutes.

With the lead gone, Switzerland switched to a five-man midfield, clearing space and challenging the Algerians to play with them, but Petkovic’s efforts failed to destroy their opponents.

Algeria’s best chance came in the dying moments of the first half when Ibrahim Maza curled a shot just wide of the near post, one of his few attempts of the game.

The Swiss struck again shortly after the break, attacking down the right before a pass from Rafik Belghali found its way to Ndoye’s feet, and the striker curled his shot past goalkeeper Luca Zidane.

Algerian captain Riyad Mahrez could have pulled a goal back in the second half, but he fired wide of the back of the net, capping a frustrating evening for the Algerians.

With Granit Xhaka in charge of Switzerland’s defence, they reverted to their original plan of taking possession and launching a high-speed attack, but the Algerians were cautious about giving forwards, lest they concede again.

Despite a sell-out crowd at BC Place, the final 15 minutes were played in silence, only to break into cheers and then groans when Swiss substitute Fabian Rieder somehow decided to miss his own goal, sending his shot wide of the goal as a grateful Zidane was able to avoid the danger.

Fortunately for Switzerland, it did not affect the results as they celebrated their last 16 qualification on Tuesday.