Switzerland vs Algeria, FIFA World Cup match result: Switzerland end Algeria’s dream of storming into the round of 16

Switzerland’s Dan Ndoye (11) celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal. (Photo by AP/PTI) Switzerland continued their impressive campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a clinical 2-0 win over Algeria on Thursday to book their place in the last eight.Goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye secured the Swiss a comfortable place in the last 16, where they will face the winner of Colombia’s clash with Ghana on Friday in Vancouver.Switzerland, who have reached the knockout stage at each of the previous three World Cups, are now looking for a deeper path after falling repeatedly at the first knockout hurdle in the 32-team era.

Embolo and Ndoye put Switzerland through

Algeria started the better, controlling possession in the opening 10 minutes, but Switzerland struck with their first meaningful attack.Attacking youngster Johan Manzambi grabbed the right wing and delivered a pinpoint cross to Breel Embolo, who made no mistake from close range to score his 26th international goal. The striker celebrated with a trademark knee slide as the Swiss took firm control of the match.Switzerland doubled their lead less than a minute after the restart.Dan Ndoye launched himself from the edge of the penalty area and beat Luca Zidane in the Algerian goal from a full swing to put the result beyond doubt.The Swiss almost added a third in the closing stages when Fabian Rieder found himself with a simple finish in the 81st minute, but missed after the ball flew in front of goal.FIFA president Gianni Infantino was in the audience after attending Spain’s victory over Austria earlier.

History attracts the Swiss

Victory will keep Switzerland on course for what could be 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 their last 16 matches since the 1938 tournament in France. Their only deeper run since then came at home in 1954 when they won a playoff game before reaching the quarterfinals.Confidence continued to grow throughout the tournament.Switzerland opened their campaign with a 2-1 defeat of Canada before earning another convincing win to knock out Algeria and advance to the knockout stages.Much of that success is down to 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 has forced his way into the starting line-up and now boasts two goals and two assists, including a crucial set-up for Embolo.For Algeria, the defeat ended a memorable return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014. The North Africans entered the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Austria, but were unable 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.