Switzerland secured top spot in Group B and advanced to the World Cup knockout stage with a 2-1 victory over co-hosts Canada, with both teams progressing to the last 32.
Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi scored in an impressive second-half display after a largely uneventful opening 45 minutes. Vargas broke the deadlock just one minute after the restart, finishing calmly after being set up by Manzambi.
Switzerland doubled their advantage in the 57th minute when Breel Embolo held up the ball inside the penalty area before laying it off for Manzambi, who fired home emphatically.
Canada responded in the 76th minute through substitute Promise David, who scored with his first touch after connecting with Nathan Saliba’s pass to spark hopes of a comeback in front of a packed BC Place crowd.
The hosts pushed hard for an equaliser, backed by loud chants of “Let’s go Canada”, but Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel produced several key saves to preserve the victory.
“We are very happy because we won, and we fought until the very last minute,” Vargas said after the match.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch expressed disappointment at missing out on top spot but remained optimistic about his team’s prospects in the knockout phase.
“I’m disappointed that we were not able to get a win or a draw today to keep us here,” Marsch said. “But we still want to electrify our country and play really well down there.”
The Swiss finished the group stage on seven points, three ahead of Canada, who would have claimed first place with a draw. Switzerland will remain in Vancouver for their knockout match, while Canada will travel to Los Angeles for the next round.
The result capped a strong group-stage campaign for Switzerland, while Canada advanced after opening with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina before thrashing nine-man Qatar 6-0.
In the other Group B match, Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated Qatar 3-1 in Seattle to keep their World Cup hopes alive and eliminate the Qataris from the tournament.
The match also featured an emotional moment for Canada as midfielder Ismael Kone, sidelined with a broken leg suffered against Qatar, watched from the dugout. Fans displayed signs bearing his number eight in a show of support, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was among those in attendance.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
