Post a comment 
Switzerland ended Algeria’s World Cup 2026 campaign with a clinical 2-0 victory at BC Place, advancing to the Round of 16, where they will face either Colombia or Ghana.
Breel Embolo opened the scoring in the 10th minute after a stunning run from Johan Manzambi. Dan Ndoye doubled the lead just 53 seconds into the second half, punishing a defensive error from the Fennec Foxes. The Swiss have now won three straight matches for the first time at a World Cup.
Algeria started brightly and should have taken the lead in the 6th minute. Riyad Mahrez stepped over Rafik Belghali’s cross, finding Houssem Aouar, but his effort failed to hit the target. Three minutes later, Ramiz Zerrouki was brought down in the box after a deep run, but the referee waved away penalty appeals.
Switzerland punished those missed opportunities with their first real attack. In the 10th minute, Johan Manzambi produced a blistering 30-metre run down the left flank, skipping past Aïssa Mandi before delivering a precise cut-back for Breel Embolo, who tapped in from close range.
The goal knocked the confidence out of Algeria. Switzerland controlled the tempo for much of the half, with Granit Xhaka dictating play from midfield on his 150th appearance for his country. Algeria finished the half strongly, with Ibrahim Maza missing their best chance in stoppage time, dragging his shot wide after a cross from Mahrez.
Algeria’s hopes of a comeback were dealt a devastating blow just 53 seconds into the second half. The Algerians failed to clear the ball from deep in defence, and it fell to Dan Ndoye on the edge of the box. The forward smashed it into the bottom corner, giving the Swiss a commanding 2-0 lead.
Switzerland were now in complete control. Algeria made changes, bringing on Jaouen Hadjam and Amine Gouiri just before the hour, and later replacing captain Riyad Mahrez with Anis Hadj Moussa. But the Fennec Foxes could not break down a disciplined Swiss defence led by Manuel Akanji and Nico Elvedi.
In stoppage time, Fabian Rieder missed an open goal that would have made it 3-0, somehow putting his shot back into the goalkeeper.
Algeria becomes the sixth African nation to exit, following Tunisia, South Africa, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, and Senegal. Only Morocco, Egypt, Cape Verde and Ghana remain as African representatives.
