Switzerland 2-0 Algeria: Embolo 10, Ndoye 46
Switzerland reached the World Cup last 16 with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Algeria, ending an 88-year wait for a knockout-stage win.
Goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye secured the result, but once again the spotlight fell on the impressive Johan Manzambi. The 20-year-old forward continued his outstanding tournament by creating the opening goal with another display of pace and skill that left Algeria struggling to contain him.
Switzerland will now face either Colombia or Ghana in Vancouver next Tuesday after extending their unbeaten run to four matches. Having drawn their opening game before winning three in a row, Murat Yakin’s side have found form at the perfect time, scoring freely while remaining difficult to break down.
Algeria began brightly and should have made the early pressure count. Houssem Aouar was presented with a clear opportunity after Riyad Mahrez cleverly allowed the ball to run into his path, but the midfielder failed to apply the finish with Gregor Kobel exposed.
The missed chance proved costly. Switzerland punished Algeria after 10 minutes through a swift attack inspired by Manzambi. Collecting the ball inside his own half, the Freiburg youngster surged down the right, skipped beyond Aissa Mandi and delivered an inviting cross that Embolo converted from close range for his 26th international goal.
The breakthrough changed the game and Switzerland settled into their rhythm, with Ruben Vargas and Ndoye stretching Algeria across both flanks while Granit Xhaka dictated possession from midfield.
Algeria struggled to recreate the intensity of their opening spell. Mahrez remained their main attacking threat but Switzerland’s defence dealt comfortably with most of the danger, leaving Kobel with little meaningful work.
Any hopes of an Algerian comeback disappeared almost immediately after the restart. Just 48 seconds into the second half, Ndoye controlled a loose clearance outside the area before driving a low effort beyond Luca Zidane, whose fingertips were not enough to keep the strike out.
Two goals ahead, Switzerland controlled possession and rarely looked troubled. Manzambi continued to torment Algeria before being withdrawn midway through the second half. Algeria searched for a route back into the contest, with Mahrez seeing an effort blocked and Ibrahim Maza missing the target after another dangerous delivery from the veteran winger.
But this was Switzerland’s game and they almost added a third late on when Denis Zakaria’s cross found Fabian Rieder in front of an open goal, only for the substitute to somehow direct his effort back towards Zidane, allowing the goalkeeper to gather.
