Canada 1-2 Switzerland: David 76; Vargas 46, Manzambi 57
Switzerland had to hold on after all but in the end the final whistle confirmed them as group winners, while Canada advance in second place and will now leave home and travel to Los Angeles for the knockouts. Claiming top spot with victory or a draw here would have allowed the co-hosts to play the next round on home soil in Vancouver.
The game was finely balanced in the first half but Switzerland struck twice in the second through Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi to seize control of the tie. Canada mounted a late rally when Nathan Saliba fed substitute Promise David to score moments after coming on, but Switzerland defended the remaining lead very well and the co-hosts were unable to find their much-needed second goal.
Switzerland enjoyed some good moments in the first half and Breel Embolo should have done better against onrushing goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau after breaking through Canada’s defence, before Manzambi saw his follow-up effort blocked.
Canada responded through Cyle Larin and Ali Ahmed, both of whom forced saves from Gregor Kobel, but neither side could find a breakthrough before half time.
Almost immediately into the second half, Embolo bolted down the right and whipped in a cross that travelled to the far post, where Vargas was left unmarked and able to take a touch before firing beyond Crepeau.
Switzerland had the lead and they doubled it 11 minutes later. Embolo wove his way to the edge of Canada’s box and after excellent hold-up play he pinged a pass into the path of Manzambi, who arrived to shoot but was fortunate that his weak, central effort slipped through Crepeau’s grasp and into the net.
Canada fought back. Jonathan David was denied through a block by Nico Elvedi but then Saliba soon bolted forward and after receiving a long pass, brought it down superbly before volleying a pass into David, who stretched to direct it into the net.
It was 2-1 now with 14 minutes to go in normal time and Canada pushed for the all-important equaliser. But the Swiss contingent would not bulge. Alistair Johnston’s header from a corner was the last Canada could muster but Kobel was able to gather after the ball had initially escaped his grasp.
