Switzerland secured a 2-0 victory over Algeria on Thursday night in Vancouver, advancing to the World Cup 2026 round of 16. The match, held at BC Place Stadium, saw goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye, with a notable performance from midfielder Johan Manzambi.
The opening goal came in the 10th minute, when Manzambi set up Embolo. Manzambi demonstrated his speed and fluid movements, navigating past several Algerian defenders before delivering a pass that Embolo converted. Embolo celebrated his international goal.
Swiss coach Murat Yakin described the goal as a “lucky punch,” highlighting the importance of players identifying crucial moments for the team. Ndoye echoed this sentiment, praising Manzambi’s contribution to the team’s progress.
Ndoye then extended Switzerland’s lead in the 46th minute with a powerful shot from the top of the box, which Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane was unable to stop. This second goal was seen as decisive by Algerian head coach Vladimir Petkovic, who noted his team’s inability to cope after the initial score.
Switzerland’s win means they will remain in Vancouver for their next match. They are set to face the winner of the Ghana–Colombia match on Tuesday.
Manzambi’s impact on the tournament
Johan Manzambi, a midfielder who plays for Bundesliga club SC Freiburg, has been a significant player for Switzerland throughout the tournament. His assist for Embolo’s goal against Algeria was another highlight in his strong run.
Manzambi’s contributions were also evident in Switzerland’s 2-1 win over Canada last week at BC Place Stadium, where he scored a goal, provided an assist, and was named Man of the Match. This victory secured Switzerland the top spot in Group B.
Earlier in the tournament, Manzambi scored two goals in a 4-1 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina, becoming the youngest player to score two goals off the bench in the World Cup. He has accumulated five goals in 15 international appearances.
Swiss captain Granit Xhaka commended Manzambi’s continuous improvement, describing him as a “very, very good player” with significant hunger. Yakin also praised Manzambi’s versatility, stating he can be utilized in “every single position” and highlighting his evolution and development over the past year.
Manzambi, born in Geneva, began his soccer career at four years old. He made his first appearance with the Swiss national team in a 4-2 win over Mexico on June 7, 2025, and scored his first senior international goal three days later in a 4-0 friendly win against the United States. He also appeared in all six of Switzerland’s World Cup qualifying games, scoring in both home and away matches against Sweden.
Algeria’s tournament journey concludes
Algeria’s return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014 concluded with their defeat to Switzerland. Despite the elimination, head coach Vladimir Petkovic acknowledged that reaching the knockout round for only the second time in their history was an “excellent result.”
Algeria had advanced to the knockout stage as a third-place finisher after a 3-3 draw against Austria last Saturday in Kansas City, a result that also sent Austria through but eliminated Iran. Algerian captain Riyad Mahrez, 35, scored two goals in that match.
Petkovic, who coached Switzerland from 2014-2021, expressed pride in his team’s performance despite the outcome, noting their strong individual players. He congratulated Switzerland on their victory.
The Swiss team’s win marks a significant moment, with Ndoye stating, “Today we write one page of history, but we want more, and we work for more.”
Switzerland had not won a World Cup knockout-round match since 1938 in France, though they did win a playoff game in 1954 to reach the quarter-finals. They will now play the winner of the Ghana–Colombia match on Tuesday.
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Source: thestar.com
