Vancouver, Jul 03 (V7N) — Switzerland ended an 88-year wait for a FIFA World Cup knockout-stage victory by defeating Algeria 2-0 in the Round of 32, securing a place in the last 16 of the 2026 tournament.
Goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye sealed the historic victory on Friday, marking Switzerland's first win in a World Cup knockout match since 1938.
Algeria began the match brightly and enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening stages. However, Switzerland struck first in the 11th minute when they launched a swift counter-attack, with Embolo finishing clinically to give his side a 1-0 lead.
Trailing at halftime, Algeria hoped to mount a comeback after the break. Instead, Switzerland doubled their advantage immediately after the restart. In the 46th minute, Ndoye fired home with a well-taken finish to make it 2-0.
Despite introducing more attacking intent, Algeria struggled to break down Switzerland's disciplined defense. Star winger Riyad Mahrez and his teammates were repeatedly denied by the Swiss backline as the European side comfortably protected their lead until the final whistle.
The victory sends Switzerland into the Round of 16, where they will face the winner of the Colombia vs. Ghana Round of 32 encounter for a place in the quarter-finals.
For Swiss football, the result represents a historic milestone, ending nearly nine decades without a World Cup knockout-stage triumph.
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