VANCOUVER, July 3 — Switzerland striker Breel Embolo struck early and winger Dan Ndoye added a second as his side eased to a 2-0 victory over Algeria today to book a place in the last 16 of the World Cup, where they will face Colombia or Ghana in Vancouver next week.
Murat Yakin's Switzerland produced a tactical masterclass, switching formations and laying traps for Algeria before striking twice on the counter to settle a contest that was short on excitement but rich in tactical intrigue.
Facing a familiar opponent in Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic, who spent seven years in charge of Switzerland between 2014 and 2021, Yakin set his team up to absorb early pressure and hit on the break, and that is exactly what they did.
Switzerland's opening goal was as simple as it was effective.
The Swiss won possession in their own half and sent 20-year-old Johan Manzambi racing down the left on the counter-attack before he squared the ball for Embolo to convert from close range in the 10th minute.
With the lead secured, Switzerland shifted to a five-man midfield when out of possession, closing down space and forcing Algeria to play through them, but Petkovic's side struggled to break their opponents down.
Algeria's best chance came in first-half stoppage time when Ibrahim Maza dragged a first-time effort wide of the near post, one of the few attempts on target they created throughout the match.
Switzerland doubled their lead almost immediately after the restart, attacking down the right before a weak clearance from Rafik Belghali fell to Ndoye, who calmly placed his shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Luca Zidane.
Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez had a chance to reduce the deficit moments later but fired straight at a defender from a central position, summing up a frustrating evening for his side.
With Granit Xhaka marshalling Switzerland's defensive shape, they reverted to their original game plan of conceding possession and launching rapid counter-attacks, while Algeria were reluctant to commit too many players forward for fear of conceding again.
Despite a sell-out crowd at BC Place, the final 15 minutes were played in near silence, broken only by cheers and groans as Swiss substitute Fabian Rieder somehow failed to score with the goal at his mercy, scuffing his effort back across goal where a grateful Zidane gathered the ball.
Fortunately for Switzerland, the miss had no impact on the outcome as they celebrated securing their place in the last 16, where they will play on Wednesday morning Malaysian time.
