Switzerland booked their place in the FIFA World Cup last 16 with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Algeria, securing their first win in a World Cup knockout match since 1938.
Breel Embolo opened the scoring in the 10th minute after excellent work down the wing by Johan Manzambi, whose cutback found the forward for a simple finish. Dan Ndoye doubled Switzerland’s advantage just 46 seconds into the second half, firing home from inside the penalty area to put Murat Yakin’s side firmly in control.
The victory also ended a remarkable drought, with Switzerland claiming their first World Cup knockout-stage win since defeating Germany in 1938, before the tournament adopted its modern group-stage format. They have now reached the last 16 for a fourth consecutive World Cup.
Algeria, aiming for their first-ever knockout-stage victory at the tournament, enjoyed a promising spell before half-time but failed to test Gregor Kobel, whose only meaningful save came from a tame effort by Fares Chaibi. They struggled to create clear-cut chances after the interval.
Switzerland nearly added a third goal late on when Fabian Rieder found himself unmarked at the back post, but he failed to connect cleanly, allowing Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane to gather comfortably.
The Switzerland side will face the winner of the Colombia-Ghana tie in the round of 16 on 7 July at BC Place in Vancouver.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
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