Switzerland beat Canada 2-1 to top Group B, both sides advance to World Cup knockout stage

Switzerland strike after break

A tense, scoreless first half gave way to Swiss control seconds into the second period. Breel Embolo won the ball on the right and crossed for Ruben Vargas, who fired past Maxime Crépeau at the near post in the 46th minute. Eleven minutes later Embolo held up play in the box and laid off for Johan Manzambi, whose emphatic finish doubled the lead.

We can regroup, refocus, organise much better, look at the nuts and bolts.

The Swiss coach pointed to the seven-day break before the last-32 tie as a chance to fine-tune. His side finished Group B with seven points and will remain in Vancouver to face a third-place finisher on July 2.

Canada’s late push not enough

Promise David gave the raucous home crowd hope in the 76th minute, volleying Nathan Saliba’s cross into the corner with his first touch after coming on. Alistair Johnston came close with a stoppage-time header, but Gregor Kobel preserved the win with a string of late saves.

We came up a little short, and that's unfortunate. But we’re in the knockout round, and we’re going to make sure that we’re up for it better.

Canada finished second on four points, edging Bosnia and Herzegovina on head-to-head record, and will travel to Los Angeles for a Sunday last-32 match against the Group A runner-up. The loss extended Canada’s winless run against European sides at World Cups to seven matches.

Manzambi’s breakout performance

The 20-year-old Freiburg winger, starting his first World Cup match, tormented the Canadian defence. Two days after scoring twice off the bench against Bosnia, he assisted Vargas then grabbed his third goal of the tournament. Manzambi’s club season included five Bundesliga goals and a run to the Europa League final, but his Vancouver display helped Switzerland reach the knockout stage for a fourth consecutive World Cup.

Other Group B action

Bosnia and Herzegovina overpowered Qatar 3-1 elsewhere, with teenager Kerim Alajbegovic opening the scoring from 25 metres and an own goal by Sultan Albrake doubling the advantage before the break. Qatar, already eliminated, finished with zero points. Bosnia have four points and await results from other groups to see if they advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

At BC Place, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney watched from the stands, while injured midfielder Ismaël Koné was honoured by fans holding his number eight posters in the eighth minute.