Switzerland Top Group B with Win Over Canada as Both Reach World Cup Knockouts

Vargas & Manzambi strike as Switzerland edge Canada

Goals from Vargas and Manzambi gave Switzerland a 2-1 win over Canada. The result sent Switzerland top of Group B, while Canada still reached the Round of 32 for the first time in their history.

Switzerland beat Canada 2-1 to finish first in World Cup Group B...

Switzerland finished top of Group B at the FIFA World Cup after a tight 2-1 win over hosts Canada in Vancouver. The result took them through from a fourth straight World Cup group stage for the first time, while Canada still made history by reaching the knockout rounds for the first time ever.

A draw would’ve been enough for both teams to reach the Round of 32. But Switzerland needed the win to grab first place in the group.

After a cautious start, Switzerland created the first opening. Breel Embolo was slipped in behind, but Maxime Crepeau stood tall to block him. Johan Manzambi followed up, only for Derek Cornelius to make a perfect block on the rebound.

Gregor Kobel got a boost of his own when he denied Cyle Larin one-on-one, though the flag later went up for offside. After that, neither keeper was really tested as tame shots from Embolo and Luc de Fougerolles drifted in.

The first-half water break didn’t help either team settle. But a clash between Larin and Granit Xhaka just past the 30-minute mark seemed to fire up the Canadian striker, who then forced Kobel into a save with a curling shot.

Xhaka answered with a free-kick of his own, but Canada ended the half stronger. They switched play nicely to the left, where Ali Ahmed couldn’t get enough power to beat Kobel at the near post. Jonathan David then found space on the edge of the box, but his shot went wide.

A dull first half gave way to drama just 40 seconds after the restart. Switzerland pushed down the right, and Manzambi’s low cross skipped through everyone except Ruben Vargas. He smashed it first-time into the bottom corner at the far post.

Eleven minutes later Switzerland doubled their lead. A long ball over the top slipped past two Canadian defenders, letting Embolo hold it up for Manzambi. The youngster’s shot squirmed under Crepeau for his third goal of the tournament.

Jesse Marsch reacted with three substitutions to spark Canada. They took control after that, but Nico Elvedi blocked David’s best effort before the second cooling break with 19 minutes remaining.

After the break, Marsch decided one David wasn’t enough and brought Promise David on to join the attack. It worked immediately. Les Rouges pulled one back seconds later when Nathan Saliba chested down a long ball and lifted it across for the substitute to volley home on the stretch.

The co-hosts pressed hard late on, but Tani Oluwaseyi headed wide and Promise David’s header went straight at Kobel. Nati held firm. They’re now unbeaten in 17 of their last 19 group games at major tournaments.

Canada ended second, edging Bosnia & Herzegovina on goal difference. But they gave up home advantage for their Round of 32 match.