Switzerland continued their impressive FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a clinical 2-0 win over Algeria on Thursday, sealing a place in the Round of 16.Goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye ensured the Swiss comfortably 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 rounds in each of the past three World Cups, Switzerland now look to make a deeper run after repeatedly falling at the first elimination hurdle of the 32-team season.
Embolo and Ndoye fired Switzerland
Algeria made the brighter start and controlled possession in the opening 10 minutes, but Switzerland won their first meaningful attack.Breakout youngster Johan Manzambi burst down the right flank before delivering a precise cross for Breel Embolo, who made no mistake from close range to score his 26th international goal. The striker celebrated with a trademark knee slide as the Swiss firm took control of the contest.Switzerland doubled their advantage less than a minute after the start.Dan Ndoye unleashed a powerful effort from the edge of the penalty area that beat a full-stretch Luca Zidane in the Algerian goal, effectively putting the outcome beyond doubt.The Swiss almost added a third in the closing stages when Fabian Rieder found himself with a simple finish in the 81st minute, but just missed the target after the ball flashed across the face of the goal.FIFA president Gianni Infantino was among the onlookers after first attending Spain’s victory over Austria.
History is looking out for the Swiss
The win capped Switzerland off what could be their best World Cup campaign in decades.Although the Swiss have reached the Round of 16 in each of the last four World Cups, they have not won a last 16 match since the 1938 tournament in France. Their only deeper run since then came on home soil in 1954, when they won one playoff game before reaching the quarterfinals.Confidence continued to grow throughout the tournament.Switzerland opened their campaign by beating Canada 2-1 before securing another convincing win to eliminate Algeria and advance to the knockout phase.Much of that success has been driven by 20-year-old Johan Manzambi, who has emerged as one of the tournament’s brightest young talents. After starting the World Cup as a substitute, the youngster forced his way into the starting lineup and now boasts two goals and two assists, including the crucial setup for Embolo’s 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 rounds as one of the best third-place teams after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Austria, but were unable to overcome a disciplined Swiss side.Switzerland now head to Vancouver knowing that a win over Colombia or Ghana will send them into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in the modern era.