Switzerland continued their impressive FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a clinical 2-0 victory over Algeria on Thursday, sealing a place in the Round of 16.Goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye ensured the Swiss booked their 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 stage in the previous three World Cups, Switzerland are now eyeing a deep run after falling repeatedly in the first knockout round of the 32-team era.
Embolo and Ndoye fire Switzerland through
Algeria started well and controlled the ball in the first 10 minutes, but Switzerland made their first attack.Breakout teenager Johan Manzambi burst down the right before feeding the ball straight to Breel Embolo, who made no mistake from close range to score his 26th international goal. The striker celebrated with a knee gesture as the Swiss took control of the competition.Switzerland doubled their lead less than a minute after the restart.Dan Ndoye’s effort from the edge of the penalty area beat Luca Zidane in the Algerian goal, putting the result beyond doubt.The Swiss almost added a third in the final when Fabian Rieder found himself with an easy lead in the 81st minute, only to miss the target as the ball flew into his face.FIFA president Gianni Infantino was one of the spectators who attended Spain’s victory over Austria.
History fascinates the Swiss
The win puts Switzerland on course for what could be their best World Cup campaign in years.Although the Swiss have reached the Round of 16 in the last four World Cups, they have not won the last 16 since the 1938 tournament in France. Their deepest run since then came at home in 1954, when they won the last game before reaching the quarterfinals.Confidence grew steadily throughout the tournament.Switzerland opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Canada before winning again to eliminate Algeria and progress to the quarter-finals.Most of these wins were driven by 20-year-old Johan Manzambi, who emerged as one of the most talented young players. After starting the World Cup as a substitute, the youngster forced his way into the starting line-up and now has two goals and two assists, including setting up Embolo’s crucial opener.For Algeria, the defeat ended a memorable return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014. The North Africans reached the knockout stage as one of the best third teams after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Austria, but were unable to overcome a disciplined Swiss side.Switzerland will now travel to Vancouver knowing that a win over Colombia or Ghana will send them into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in modern times.
