Switzerland Algeria ended 2-0 in Vancouver, with Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye scoring to send Murat Yakin's side into the World Cup last 16.
Switzerland Algeria ended 2-0 in Vancouver, with Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye scoring to send Murat Yakin's side into the World Cup last 16.
Breel Embolo put Switzerland ahead in the 10th minute after Johan Manzambi burst forward and laid the ball into his path. Dan Ndoye doubled the lead 46 seconds after the restart, finishing after Algeria failed to clear their lines.
The Swiss were also close to a third goal late on. Fabian Rieder had a chance from close range in the 81st minute, but Luca Zidane made the save.
Switzerland finished the game with five shots on target to Algeria’s two, and the match featured 11 Swiss attempts overall.
Murat Yakin said his side controlled the match without the ball and kept Algeria out of dangerous areas. “It was a very good defensive performance today, during every single phase of the match, we defended solidly. We didn't allow any chances for our opponent,” he said.
He also pointed to the timing of Switzerland’s goals. “I'd like to praise my entire team, because they did have to suffer today, and I think that they scored just at the right moment. I think that we really deserve to move into the next round of this tournament.”
Embolo said the first goal mattered because it gave Switzerland control. “We couldn't underestimate Algeria and we had to be clinical, that clinical finishing made the difference today,” he said. “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.”
The result was Switzerland’s first knockout-round victory at a World Cup since 1938. It also sent them through to the round of 16 for the fourth consecutive tournament.
They are still in Vancouver and will face the winner of Colombia and Ghana next Tuesday.
Algeria’s exit ended their tournament in the Round of 32.
