Switzerland smashed an 88-year hoodoo in Vancouver, securing their first World Cup knockout stage victory since 1938 with a dominant win over Algeria.
The Swiss ghosted into an early lead after just 10 minutes when Freiburg’s Johan Manzambi produced a masterclass on the wing, dancing past his marker to tee up Rennes forward Breel Embolo for a clinical finish.
Any hopes of an Algerian fightback were extinguished just 46 seconds into the second half. Nottingham Forest’s Dan Ndoye pounced inside the box, doubling the lead with a ruthless strike. It marks the first time the Swiss have scored multiple goals in a World Cup knockout match since their infamous 7-5 loss to Austria back in 1954.
Algeria, hunting for its own historic first knockout win, enjoyed a brief spell of pressure before the interval. However, their best chance went begging when Fares Chaibi’s tame effort was easily gathered by Gregor Kobel.
Murat Yakin’s men could have added a third late on, but Fabian Rieder inexplicably fluffed his lines at the back post, turning the ball into the relieved arms of Algeria keeper Luca Zidane.
Nevertheless, Switzerland cruised into the round of 16 for the fourth consecutive tournament. They return to Vancouver’s BC Place on July 7 (21:00 BST) to face either Colombia or Ghana.
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