Switzerland continued their impressive campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a clinical 2-0 win over Algeria on Thursday, sealing a place in the round of 16.Goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye secured the Swiss a comfortable place in the last 16, where they will face the winner of Friday’s clash between Colombia and Ghana in Vancouver.Having reached the knockout rounds at each of the previous three World Cups, Switzerland are now looking deeper after repeatedly falling at the first elimination hurdle in the 32-team era.
Embolo and Ndoye shoot through Switzerland
Algeria started better and controlled possession for the first 10 minutes, but Switzerland struck with their first significant attack.Youngster Johan Manzambi made his way down the right flank before slotting in for Breel Embolo, who made no mistake from close range to score his 26th international goal. The forward celebrated with a signature knee slide as the Swiss took firm control of the contest.Switzerland doubled their lead less than a minute after the restart.Dan Ndoye sent a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area that beat Luca Zidane in the Algerian goal, putting the result beyond doubt.The Swiss almost added a third in the closing stages when Fabian Rieder found himself alone with a simple finish in the 81st minute, only to miss the target after the ball flew over the bar.FIFA president Gianni Infantino was among the spectators after attending Spain’s win over Austria earlier.
History calls the Swiss
The win keeps Switzerland on track for what could become their best World Cup campaign in decades.Although the Swiss have reached the round of 16 at each of the last four World Cups, they have not won a round of 16 match since the 1938 tournament in France. Their only deeper run since then came at home in 1954, when they won the playoffs before reaching the quarterfinals.Confidence grew steadily throughout the tournament.Switzerland opened their campaign by defeating Canada 2-1 before producing another convincing win to eliminate Algeria and progress to the knockout stages.Much of that success has been fueled by 20-year-old Johan Manzambi, who has emerged as one of the tournament’s brightest young talents. After starting the World Cup as a substitute, the youngster forced his way into the starting line-up and now boasts two goals and two assists, including a key set-up for Embolo’s first goal.For Algeria, defeat brought to an end a memorable return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014. The North Africans reached the knockout round as one of the best third-placed teams after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Austria, but failed to overcome a disciplined Swiss side.Switzerland will now head to Vancouver knowing that a win over either Colombia or Ghana would send them into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in the modern era.
