World Cup Hoodoo Broken! Switzerland Reach New Heights After 2-0 Win Over Alegeria
Switzerland Vs Algeria Match Gallery, FIFA World Cup 2026: Switzerland secured a commanding 2-0 victory over Algeria at BC Place in Vancouver to book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. After surviving an early scare when Houssem Aouar squandered a clear opportunity, the Swiss struck against the run of play in the 11th minute as Johan Manzambi's dazzling run set up Breel Embolo for a close-range finish. Murat Yakin's side doubled their advantage moments after the restart, with Dan Ndoye capitalising on Algeria's defensive lapse to find the bottom corner. Switzerland remained compact and disciplined throughout, limiting Algeria to few meaningful chances while comfortably protecting their lead. The victory marked Switzerland's first World Cup knockout-stage win since 1938 and extended their winning streak at the tournament to three matches, setting up a Round of 16 clash with Colombia or Ghana.
Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin arrives for the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026 (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel warms up ahead of the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026 (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Switzerland fans march through the rain towards BC Place for a World Cup round of 32 match against Algeria, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026 (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)
Algeria players warm up before the start of the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026 (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Algerian players run onto the pitch to warm up ahead of the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026 (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Switzerland players pose for group photo before the start of the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026 (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Algeria pose for a team photo ahead of the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026 (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin, right, embraces Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic ahead of the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026 (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel (1) leaps over Algeria's Ramiz Zerrouki (6) as they compete for the ball during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026 (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Algeria's Ramiz Zerrouki (6) reacts after a collision with Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel (1) as Switzerland's Manuel Akanji (5) watches during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026 (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Switzerland's Breel Embolo (7) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026 (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Switzerland's Breel Embolo (7) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026 (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Switzerland's Johan Manzambi (9) reacts during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026 (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, left, greets Peter Knaebel, right, President of the Swiss Football Association, Swiss Federal President Guy Parmelin, center beforethe World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026 (Peter Klaunzer/Keystone via AP)
Algeria's Fares Chaibi (10) heads the ball over Switzerland's Nico Elvedi (4) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026 (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
Algerian fans react during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026 (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Switzerland's Dan Ndoye (11) celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026. | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr
Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane (23) lets Switzerland's second goal slip past during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026. | Photo: AP/Nick Didlick
Switzerland's Dan Ndoye (11) celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026. | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr
Switzerland's Ricardo Rodriguez (13) battles with Algeria's Riyad Mahrez (7) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026. | Photo: AP/Nick Didlick
Switzerland's head coach Murat Yakin, second from right, speaks with Manuel Akanji during a hydration break during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026. | Photo: AP/Peter Klaunzer
Algeria's Ibrahim Maza (22) embraces Switzerland's Granit Xhaka (10) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026. | Photo: AP/Lindsey Wasson
Switzerland's Noah Okafor (19) falls as Algeria's Jaouen Hadjam (13) jumps over him to take control of the ball during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026. | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr
Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane (23) makes a save during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026. | Photo: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP
Algeria's Ibrahim Maza (22) is grabbed by Switzerland's Remo Freuler (8) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026. | Photo: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP
Algeria's Ramy Bensebaini (right), Switzerland's Zeki Amdouni (center) and Algeria's Aissa Mandi (right) in action during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria at the BC Place stadium in Vancouver, Canada, Thursday, July 2, 2026, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament. | Photo: Peter Klaunzer/Keystone via AP
Switzerland's head coach Murat Yakin, right, pats the back of Algeria's head coach Vladimir Petkovic after the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026. | Photo: Peter Klaunzer/Keystone via AP
Switzerland's Granit Xhaka (10) and Algeria's Ibrahim Maza (22) talk following during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026. | Photo: AP/Lindsey Wasson
Swiss players react following the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026. | Photo: AP/Lindsey Wasson
Algeria's Amine Gouiri (9) reacts following the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, July 2, 2026. | Photo: AP/Lindsey Wasson
Swiss supporters react at a public viewing of the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria, in the fan zone "Village su Soir" in Geneva, Switzerland, Friday, July 3, 2026. | Photo: Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP
Swiss supporters react at a public viewing of the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Switzerland and Algeria, in the fan zone "Village su Soir" in Geneva, Switzerland, Friday, July 3, 2026. | Photo: Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP
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