Switzerland booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 with a controlled 2-0 victory over Algeria in their Round of 32 tie, with Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye on the scoresheet. The result sends the Swiss into the last 16, where they will face the winners of the Colombia vs Ghana tie.
The breakthrough came early as Johan Manzambi’s direct running down the left created the opener, before Switzerland doubled their advantage soon after the restart through Ndoye. Algeria had moments where they threatened, but Switzerland stayed in control and saw out the win.
How Switzerland built the win
From the opening exchanges, both teams looked keen to keep possession and control the midfield, with the contest framed as a battle for territory and rhythm rather than long balls and early crosses. Algeria began cautiously, while Switzerland tried to work the flanks to create openings.
Algeria had an early warning chance when a dangerous cross found Houssem Aouar in a strong position, but his touch let him down and the opportunity went begging. Switzerland responded with a decisive moment at 1-0: in the 08:44 update, Embolo put the Swiss ahead after Manzambi received the ball outside the box, surged forward and played a smart pass into the area for a simple finish.
With the lead secured, Switzerland pushed for a second. Manzambi continued to be involved, producing another run that ended with a pass toward Denis Zakaria, but the touch was not clean and Algeria’s goalkeeper collected. Ruben Vargas then had a bright moment of his own, dribbling past three defenders before his effort was blocked at the last moment and cleared.
Algeria were forced to defend for long spells, and Switzerland created further openings. Embolo went close to doubling the advantage, only for a last-ditch tackle from an Algerian defender to deny him. Algeria did show more fight late in the first half, including a move that saw Riyad Mahrez thread a pass into the box, but Houssem Aouar could not reach it in time. Ibrahim Maza also had an attempt late in the half that was not close to the target, and Switzerland took a 1-0 lead into the break.
Switzerland then made the perfect start to the second half. In the 09:40 update, Ndoye doubled the lead with a brilliant finish after Algeria failed twice to clear their lines, allowing the ball to fall kindly for the Swiss midfielder to convert.
At 2-0, Switzerland continued to find chances. Fabian Rieder had a powerful effort blocked by the Algerian defence, and later missed what was described as “probably the chance of the match” after a cross from Embolo was misjudged by Zidane, leaving Rieder with the goal at his mercy. His shot, however, was too weak and the goalkeeper saved.
Algeria tried to build attacks, but as the match wore on the final pass was still missing. Switzerland also managed the closing stages with changes, with Embolo and Zakaria both withdrawn as the game moved toward its conclusion.
What the result means
Switzerland’s 2-0 win confirms their progression into the World Cup’s last 16, with Embolo’s opener and Ndoye’s second-half strike proving decisive. The Swiss next face the winners of the Colombia vs Ghana tie in the Round of 16, scheduled for July 7.
For Algeria, the match ended with missed moments at key times—most notably the early Aouar chance and a late first-half opening that did not find the target—while Switzerland’s control and finishing at the start of each half made the difference.
Starting XIs
Switzerland: Gregor Kobel; Denis Zakaria, Ricardo Rodriguez, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji; Dan Ndoye, Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka; Breel Embolo, Johan Manzambi, Ruben Vargas
Algeria: Luca Zidane; Rafik Belghali, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Aissa Mandi, Ramy Bensebaini; Ramiz Zerrouki, Nabil Bentaleb, Houssem Aouar; Riyad Mahrez, Ibrahim Maza, Fares Chaibi
