Match report
Ben Fisher was at BC Place Vancouver to report on Switzerland strolling into the last 16 with a 2-0 victory over Algeria as their young attacker Johan Manzambi continued to live up to the hype.
No wonder Newcastle United are working overtime to wrap up a deal for Johan Manzambi. The secret, if indeed it ever existed, is well and truly out when it comes to the 20-year-old Freiburg forward who destroyed the Algeria defence to tee up Breel Embolo for Switzerland’s opener in an ominously comfortable victory to reach the last 16. Granit Xhaka, as any good captain would, has tried to keep a lid on soaring expectations, but doing so just got that bit tougher after the Swiss recorded victory in a knockout game at the World Cup for the first time since 1938.
“He’s had a great tournament, keep your eyes on him,” came the pre-match message from the stadium announcer accompanying images of Manzambi limbering up on the giant cuboid screen dangling from the roof. The same display detailed Manzambi as sixth in Fifa’s jazzy power rankings for attacking, behind a star-studded cast led by Kylian Mbappé and including Michael Olise, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. Algeria, however, did not heed the warning.
I shall leave you now with thanks for following along and a reminder of the results from this match day – and a hearty recommendation to watch the full replay of the Portugal and Croatia all-time classic:
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Switzerland hardly had to get out of third gear against Algeria after young attacker Johan Manzambi sparked them early and created the opener for Breel Embolo to tap home in the 10th minute. Algeria started the second half in the worst possible way as they twice failed to properly clear the ball out of the penalty area and Dan Ndoye pounced to fire in a shot to double the lead in the 46th minute. Switzerland veterans Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler largely dominated the midfield from there, while their defence stayed in control even as Algeria chased the game.
Algeria finished with more possession at 50-43% (7% in contest) but when captain Riyad Mahrez had his shot blocked just minutes after Switzerland scored their second, there were no more chances of note that might have dialled up the pressure. Switzerland had 11-8 total shots, with 5-2 on target, and should like their chances in the last 16 whether they face Colombia or Ghana.
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Switzerland have won three consecutive matches for the first time at a World Cup and, most importantly, have won a knockout match at the tournament for the first time since 1938. They will face the winner of Colombia and Ghana next, back in Vancouver and with a quarter-final spot on the line.
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Full time: Switzerland 2-0 Algeria
Switzerland are through to the last 16 with a victory over Algeria thanks to goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye, and a commanding display in defence.
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90+4 min Anis Hadj Moussa throws his head back in frustration as a neat through ball into the penalty area drifts out for a goal kick with no attempts by his Algeria team-mates to get on the end of it.
90+2 min Algeria keep searching for a way through the Switzerland defence. But with two lines now camped on either side of the edge of the penalty area, there is no room to launch an attack.
90 min The Switzerland fans are in full voice now in the stands with a place in the last 16 firmly in their side’s grasp. There will be a minimum of six minutes for Algeria pull something out of the bag.
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88 min Anis Hadj Moussa forces a diving save from Switzerland keeper Gregor Kobel. That looked more like a cross rather than a shot, but in a pointer to how this second half has played out, was one of Algeria’s best chances since the break.
86 min Switzerland lock the game down further with another goalscorer Dan Ndoye taken off for Michel Aebischer. Silvan Widmer replaces Denis Zakaria.
84 min Algeria are left rolling the dice with defender Rafik Belghali taken out of the game for attacker Adil Boulbina.
83 min Switzerland should be out of sight by now. But there is little to suggest Algeria are about to find their way back into this game even as the door remains open. Breel Embolo opened the scoring but now makes way for another attacker in Zeki Amdouni even with defence all that is required now.
81 min Miss of the World Cup? Or, if we’re being kind, perhaps just this match day. Fabian Rieder somehow fails to put away a chance from about 1 metre out and with keeper Zidane spread out on the turf in the six-yard box. The cross opens up the Algeria defence as Rieder sneaks in behind but the ball bounces off his heel and into Zidane’s arms.
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79 min The ball is stuck at the wrong end of the pitch for Algeria with Switzerland in control and knocking it around in their final third.
76 min Jaouen Hadjam tries his luck from distance but that was never likely to test Switzerland keeper Gregor Kobel. Granit Xhaka keeps setting the standard and making his presence felt as he snaps into tackle after tackle. The Switzerland captain finally gives away a foul.
74 min Fabian Rieder has clearly been watching the game closely as he very nearly repeats Switzerland’s second goal. The substitute is first to respond after a limp Algeria clearance but this time the shot is blocked.
72 min Hicham Boudaoui is yet to touch the ball after coming on as a substitute but quickly picks up a yellow card for a nasty challenge.
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70 min Algeria pull a couple of their stalwarts in captain Riyad Mahrez and Nabil Bentaleb with Hicham Boudaoui and Anis Hadj Moussa out to drag them back into the game. Switzerland also make a pair of changes with Fabian Rieder and Noah Okafor called into action for a couple of their standouts in Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas.
Algeria have already come from behind to beat Jordan earlier at this World Cup, and were down twice to Austria before claiming (and then ultimately giving up) the lead. Can they do it again in Vancouver? They’ll have to do so without their talisman Riyad Mahrez as Vladimir Petkovic swings more changes.
67 min Algeria have it all to do in the final quarter with Switzerland holding a two-goal lead at the second half hydration break.
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66 min Switzerland earn another corner for Vargas to take and set up half a chance that Nico Elvedi can’t quite take.
63 min Algeria need to find another gear if they are to push Switzerland to the line with little coming from their efforts to find a way though the midfield.
60 min Switzerland are in command as they slow down the tempo and earn a corner. But not for the first time, it only goes to waste as this time Ricardo Rodriguez fails to find a teammate.
58 min Algeria have no choice now but to throw everything at the game with Amine Gouiri the first to added to the attack at the expense of Ramiz Zerrouki. Jaouen Hadjam also enters the fray with Houssem Aouar making way.
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57 min Switzerland are testing the Algeria defence in the final third as Ruben Vargas collects the ball inside the penalty area and darts toward the byline. But with three teammates within close range the attacker fires a cross over everyone’s head.
55 min Remo Freuler wins the ball back for Switzerland as the veteran continues to impress in midfield. His presence alongside captain Granit Xhaka is making it difficult for Algeria to find any space in their attacking third.
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53 min Switzerland get forward and look threatening with space opening up behind the Algeria defence. A cross to the top of the area bypasses three attackers before Algeria can clear.
50 min Algeria heads dip as the Switzerland defence sits deep. Algeria head coach Vladimir Petković might be calling on more attacking weapons from the bench sooner than he hoped.
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48 min Rafik Belghali bursts into space down the right side and delivers a sublime cross to find Riyad Mahrez timing his run into the area. The Algeria does little wrong to keep the shot down and on target, only for Denis Zakaria to stand firm as the last defender and block the shot.
A horror show for Algeria in their own penalty area hands Switzerland the opportunity to double their lead. Dan Ndoye takes his time to shoot from outside the area but still has to pick the right line through a sea of players and past Algeria keeper Luca Zidane into the far corner.
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GOAL! Switzerland 2-0 Algeria (Ndoye 46)
Dan Ndoye doubles the lead for Switzerland as the Algeria defence twice fails to clear the danger.
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46 min No changes for either side as Switzerland get the second half under way while holding a narrow lead over Algeria.
Algeria head coach Vladimir Petković should know Switzerland as well as anyone after leading today’s opponents for seven years in a stint that ended five years ago. Yet it was a curious call to leave out Amine Gouiri from the starting XI and leave Ibrahim Maza to lead the line. The 20-year-old attacker has hardly been sighted while playing as a false 9 even if he had the best of Algeria’s chances late in the first half. Gouiri would be one option for Algeria to try to change the flow of the game, with only 45 minutes left to come from behind and claim the nation’s first win in a World Cup knockout game.
Switzerland had the better of the chances with Johan Manzambi a threat whenever he got on the ball and Ruben Vargas also looking dangerous. Breel Embolo scored the opener with a typical poacher’s goal and could have doubled the lead when fighting for space to create a similar opportunity late in the half. But Algeria are still right in this and very nearly levelled in first-half stoppage time when Riyad Mahrez delivered a pinpoint cross only for Ibrahim Maza to scuff his hurried shot wide.
Algeria had more of the ball with 50-42% possession (8% in contest), as well as total shots 5-4, though the shots on target were level at 2-2 and Switzerland were the only side to convert an opportunity.
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Half-time: Switzerland 1-0 Algeria
Switzerland lead at the break thanks to Breel Embolo’s opener though it was young gun Johan Manzambi who created something out of nothing and sparked a lively first half.
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45+2 min Switzerland sit deep with the break now in sight. With little opening up Riyad Mahrez whips in a wonderful cross off his left boot. Houssem Aouar brings the ball down inside the area and swivels to shoot. But Ibrahim Maza steps in to take it quickly and hooks his shot narrowly side of the post. That was Algeria’s best moment of the first half and a little reminder to Switzerland that Mahrez is far from a spent force.
45 min Algeria are finishing the first half stronger as they push for an equaliser. A minimum of four more minutes to come.
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44 min Farès Chaïbi swivels and fires a shot on target. But he hits it straight at Switzerland keeper Gregor Kobel. Midfielder turned right-back Denis Zakaria has had Chaïbi in his pocket so far, but the Algeria attacker doesn’t need much of a window to create a chance.
42 min Switzerland earn a corner from that last chance to Embolo with an Algeria toe on the ball. This time Vargas wastes the cross and Algeria have a rare chance to counter.
40 min Switzerland look the more likely to score at the moment as Ndoye crosses from the right with Embolo charging into the six-yard box and nudging in front of the defender. Embolo tries to whip the shot around the corner but gets his angles wrong and the ball drifts wide of the near post.
38 min The free-kick is on point as Denis Zakaria rises highest to get a head to the ball. But the Switzerland defender can’t quite keep it down and nods barely over the bar. There is some pushing, pulling and perhaps a trip while the ball is in flight, but after a brief pause in play any intervention is waved away.
36 min Manzambi has been the dangerman for Switzerland since the first whistle. With plenty of space to work with on the left he now lures Farès Chaïbi into a desperate lunge that earns the first yellow card of the game.
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34 min Algeria are running out of ideas trying to build from their back half with Switzerland closing up any gaps in the midfield let alone in their defence.
32 min Ruben Vargas picks his way in and out through the Algeria defence but can’t quite find a teammate to deliver the ball to as Aissa Mandi stands firm and clears. Johan Manzambi is next to charge into space on the left but turns the ball over before entering the area.
30 min Denis Zakaria wins the ball back for Switzerland and looks for Dan Ndoye sprinting down the right side. But the pass is off target and Algeria return to poking and prodding …
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28 min Algeria get us back under way knocking the ball around their defensive line. Switzerland are content to have 11 players sitting behind the ball in surely an early sign of what’s to come.
26 min Ricardo Rodriguez tries his luck from long range and very nearly picks out the early goalscorer Breel Embolo darting past a flat-footed Algeria defensive line. That was only a metre or so from the Switzerland attacker doubling the lead. Instead, it’s time for a hydration break …
24 min Farès Chaïbi tries to pick out a runner as Switzerland pack their defence. Switzerland are starting to control the ball without taking any risks.
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22 min The first corner of the game goes to Switzerland but is wasted by Ricardo Rodriguez’s limp delivery.
20 min Switzerland calm the game down with Algeria out to take advantage of some chaos around the penalty area without finding a way through.
18 min Algeria have shown no sign of slowing down since falling behind. Ibrahim Maza gets on the end of some clever one-touch passing to fire a shot from distance but there isn’t enough venom behind it to truly test the keeper.
16 min Manzambi needs some attention after his latest dazzling run but, in the best of news for Switzerland, seems fine to continue.
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15 min Manzambi finds space down the left side again and this time loops the ball over the defence with a cross to find Denis Zakaria. A brief stumble while taking the shot is enough to take away any power as Algeria keeper Luca Zidane collects.
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13 min Algeria are straight back on to the front foot even after conceding the opener in all too familiar fashion as their two defensive lines appeared to switch off.
The Algeria wingbacks have been the key to their early attacks but this time left space behind them for Manzambi to exploit down Switzerland’s left side. The 20-year-old was hardly challenged as he carried the ball into the penalty area and had time to find Embolo among a sea of white shirts just a few metres from goal.
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GOAL! Switzerland 1-0 Algeria (Embolo 10)
Breel Embolo taps in the opener for Swizterland with a goal against the run of play. Johan Manzambi picks a path through the Algeria defence and dribbles all the way to the byline before cutting back to pick out Embolo in the six-yard box.
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8 min A half-hearted penalty claim for Algeria as Ramiz Zerrouki goes to ground and throws his hands in the air. There was contact from Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji but it appeared to be just outside the area.
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6 min Algeria have the first chance of the game as a cross from the Rafik Belghali charging down the right with two attackers in the penalty area to choose from. Riyad Mahrez lets the ball drift under his feet with Houssem Aouar behind him and directly in front of goal. But the Algeria midfielder scuffs the shot and the ball trickles away.
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5 min Algeria throw their first punches at Switzerland with their wingbacks joining the attack. Keeper Gregor Kobel comes off his line to clear.
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3 min Johan Manzambi bursts down the left to test the Algeria defence early and earns a throw-in in the attacking half. Algeria clear the danger for they will be well aware of the threat the young Switzerland midfielder poses.
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1 min Algeria get touches on the ball as they chase their first win in the World Cup knockouts.
Kick-off
Peeeeeep! Algeria in white with a splash of green get us under way against Switzerland kitted out fully in red at BC Place Vancouver.
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Here is a reminder of the starting XIs for each side.
Switzerland XI
1 Gregor Kobel; 6 Denis Zakaria, 4 Nico Elvedi, 5 Manuel Akanji, 13 Ricardo Rodriguez; 11 Dan Ndoye, 10 Granit Xhaka (c), 8 Remo Freuler; 17 Ruben Vargas, 7 Breel Embolo, 9 Johan Manzambi.
Algeria XI
23 Luca Zidane (gk); 17 Rafik Belghali, 2 Aissa Mandi, 21 Ramy Bensebaini, 15 Rayan Aït-Nouri; 8 Houssem Aouar, 19 Nabil Bentaleb; 10 Farès Chaïbi, 6 Ramiz Zerrouki, 7 Riyad Mahrez (c); 22 Ibrahim Maza.
Referee: Yael Falcón Pérez
The tournament has been less fruitful for Asian nations with Japan bundled out in the first knockout stage for the fifth-straight World Cup. Could it be time for the Blue Samurai to turn to a fresh coach to try to break the cycle? John Duerden has a curious idea …
Japan have the talent, the team and the tactical nous to beat the best but lack the belief against the very best. The Australian boss is all about playing on the front foot and taking the game to the opposition, no matter who that is. It is exactly what the Samurai Blue need and the players, most of whom play club football at the highest level, would surely respond.
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Nine of the 10 African teams at this World Cup qualified for the knockout stage though South Africa, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Congo have since been pushed out the exit.
Algeria can join Morocco in the last 16 with a win over Switzerland, while Ghana, Cape Verde, Egypt return to action tomorrow.
Egypt hope to have their star attack Mo Salah fit to face Australia, as Jack Snape reports from Dallas.
Mo Salah was seen training with his teammates on Thursday and Egypt coach Hossam Hassan confirmed his “passionate” forward was fit enough to play. “We look forward to him playing tomorrow, though we are not sure whether he is going to be in the starting lineup,” Hassan said, confirming the player himself was keen to play. “[Salah] is looking forward to making his own contributions with his teammates tomorrow,” he said.
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The smallest details can make a difference at the World Cup.
All eyes will be on Switzerland’s 20-year-old attacker Johan Manzambi against Algeria, with the emerging talent living up to the hype so far with three goals in the group stage. Only Kylian Mbappé and Thomas Müller have scored more at a World Cup under the age of 21 this century. The France and Germany greats of course went on to win the golden boot at previous World Cups – without wanting to pile more pressure on Manzambi, here is where he sits in this year’s race …
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Algeria XI
23 Luca Zidane (gk); 17 Rafik Belghali, 2 Aissa Mandi, 21 Ramy Bensebaini, 15 Rayan Aït-Nouri; 6 Ramiz Zerrouki, 22 Ibrahim Maza, 8 Houssem Aouar, 19 Nabil Bentaleb; 7 Riyad Mahrez (c), 10 Farès Chaïbi.
Coach Vladimir Petkovic recalls goalkeeper Zidane after he was omitted from the game against Austria with Oussama Benbot preferred, while Aït-Nouri is also back in the starting XI in place of Jaouen Hadjam. Zerrouki bolsters the midfield with Amine Gouiri named among the substitutes.
Switzerland XI
1 Gregor Kobel; 6 Denis Zakaria, 4 Nico Elvedi, 5 Manuel Akanji, 13 Ricardo Rodriguez; 11 Dan Ndoye, 10 Granit Xhaka (c), 8 Remo Freuler; 17 Ruben Vargas, 7 Breel Embolo, 9 Johan Manzambi.
Switzerland look set to line up in a 4-3-3 with veterans Xhaka and Freuler anchoring the midfield while Manzambi, Embolo and Vargas form a threatening attack.
Head coach Murat Yakin goes with Zakaria in place of Luca Jaquez, and recalls Ndoye into the starting XI over Djibril Sow.
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Algeria are in the knockout stage for just the second time at a World Cup, having gone out in the last 16 in 2014 after their previous three visits to the tournament ended at the group stage. Jack Larkin joined the Algeria community at a Sydney cafe to ride the nervous energy and pandemonium of their memorable draw with Austria …
There is a nervous feeling in the air at Cafe Tanja because a loss would mean elimination for Algeria, who have been waiting for the chance to play Austria since the “Disgrace of Gijón”, the 1982 World Cup match where West Germany settled for a 1-0 win over Austria at the expense of Algeria, who were knocked out on goal difference.
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Portugal are through to the last 16 after coming from behind to defeat Croatia in an all-time classic at Toronto Stadium. Paul MacInnes had the pleasure of witnessing the chaos and high drama first-hand …
Rafael Leão dropped to his knees. His cross had just been flicked into the net by Gonçalo Ramos to take Portugal to the last 16 of the World Cup. Leão’s expression was not one of delight, but relief.Billed as the last dance for two footballing icons, it was Luka Modrić who, at the age of 40, had to leave what will surely be his final World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, plays on, and both scored and was even substituted in a match of endless incident. But this was a contest about more than two individuals, who were far from the most influential players on show. Instead this was an old-fashioned World Cup battle between hardened teams, with momentum swinging first one way then the other then back again. Neither side was willing to give up on their dream, and Portugal were the lucky ones in the end.
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Johan Manzambi is no longer a secret weapon for Switzerland with the 20-year-old scoring three goals, and adding an assist, through the group stage. There are suggestions that the versatile midfielder could be on the move from Freiburg to Newcastle as a potential replacement for Sandro Tonali.
Switzerland did what they needed to do as they navigated a relatively favourable group stage, while Algeria rode a rollercoaster through their three games in part due to their own defensive lapses.
An undefeated but largely unconvincing start to the campaign was not enough for Switzerland to hold on to their initial place in the power rankings. Algeria, on the other hand, are trending in the opposite direction.
Johan Manzambi and Switzerland’s progress are on the same trajectory; they’ve both started slowly before pouncing.
On the other side of Canada the most gripping of last-32 clashes between Portugal and Croatia has just reached the most dramatic crescendo. Gonçalo Ramos scored with a header in stoppage time to claim the lead for Portugal for the first time in the game. But there was still time for a contentious call from VAR and the referee to deny Croatia a last-gasp equaliser.
Beau Dure is trying to keep up with all the drama and reaction from Portugal’s win over Croatia.
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Preamble
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the World Cup match between Switzerland and Algeria at BC Place Vancouver. Kick-off in this last-32 clash is 8pm local/11pm EDT/4am BST/1pm AEST – or 4am in Algiers and 5am in Berne.
Switzerland took time to warm into the tournament when conceding late to draw their opener against Qatar. But they went on to steamroll Bosnia and Herzegovina then finished the group stage undefeated and locked in top spot with a win over co-hosts Canada.
Algeria had a much more dramatic journey to the last 32. There was no shame in being outclassed and defeated by Argentina before coming from behind to beat Jordan. But it was their clash with Austria, and an opportunity to avenge the Disgrace of Gijón, that will live longest in the memory. In arguably the best game of the group stage, Algeria again had to come from behind, this time not once but twice. They finally claimed the lead, and put one foot in the knockout stage, when Riyad Mahrez scored his second of the game in stoppage time. Another twist was still to come as Austria found time to level but by then Algeria had done enough to progress to the next stage as one of the top eight third-place finishers. That placing earned Algeria a last-32 clash with Switzerland, rather than an early meeting with Spain, with Colombia or Ghana now set to meet the winner of this game back at BC Place Vancouver.
Algeria are out to claim their first knockout stage win at a World Cup with Vladimir Petković now guiding them against the side he coached for seven years, while veteran Mahrez remains the on field spark even at the age of 35. Switzerland, on the other hand, can turn to a younger attack with Johan Manzambi leading the way and enjoying a breakout tournament.
I’ll be back shortly with the line-ups and team news – and the latest from the World Cup. In the meantime, get in touch with any questions, thoughts and predictions. You can shoot me an email, or find me on Bluesky @martinpegan.bsky.social. Let’s get into it!
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