Switzerland cruises past Algeria for first knockout stage win since 1938

Switzerland have beaten Algeria in the World Cup round of 32 at BC Place, booking their spot in the last 16.

The Swiss led at half-time after ​Johan Manzambi’s brilliant run teed up Breel Embolo for a close-range finish inside the opening 10 minutes.

Dan Ndoye then doubled the advantage barely 50 seconds into the second half, after which Algeria struggled to get themselves back into the game and always seemed second best after a bright start.

Switzerland will now face either Colombia or Ghana in the round of 16.

First half

The first half started at a frantic pace, with Algeria looking the brighter side in the opening exchanges and creating the first clear opening in the sixth minute.

Belghali's low delivery picked out Houssem Aouar inside the box, but the midfielder completely miscued his effort before Algeria were denied penalty appeals two minutes later after Manuel Akanji's challenge on Ramiz Zerrouki was waved away by referee Yael Falcon Perez.

Switzerland weathered the early pressure before striking with their first meaningful attack in the 10th minute.

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Johan Manzambi produced a dazzling run down the left, using his pace and strength to burst into the box before squaring for Breel Embolo , who tapped home from close range to hand the Swiss the lead.

The goal shifted the momentum as Murat Yakin's side began to grow into the contest.

Manzambi remained Switzerland's biggest threat and was again involved in the 16th minute, delivering another dangerous ball that eventually fell to Denis Zakaria, whose off-balance strike failed to hit the target with the goal at his mercy.

Despite falling behind, Algeria continued to dominate possession, enjoying close to 70 percent of the ball midway through the half.

Ibrahim Maza tried his luck from distance in the 18th minute, while Farès Chaïbi continued probing down the left, but Switzerland's disciplined defensive shape prevented the North Africans from carving out another clear-cut chance.

Following the hydration break in the 26th minute, Switzerland looked increasingly dangerous on the counterattack.

Ricardo Rodriguez almost released Embolo with a perfectly weighted pass before Ruben Vargas and Manzambi both threatened without finding the final ball. Algeria, meanwhile, began to run out of ideas as Switzerland closed spaces across midfield and comfortably dealt with attacks before they reached the penalty area.

The Swiss nearly doubled their advantage in the 38th minute when Zakaria rose highest to meet a well-delivered free-kick, only to head narrowly over the crossbar. Two minutes later, Embolo drifted in front of his marker to meet Dan Ndoye's inviting cross but guided his effort wide of the near post.

Algeria finished the half strongly and came closest to an equaliser in stoppage time.

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Riyad Mahrez whipped a delightful cross into the box where Aouar brought it under control before Ibrahim Maza's first-time effort flashed just wide of the post, allowing Switzerland to take their slender advantage into the break.

Second half

Switzerland needed just 48 seconds after the restart to tighten their grip on the contest as Dan Ndoye capitalised on hesitant Algerian defending to fire home from the edge of the box after the North Africans failed to clear their lines on three occasions.

Algeria almost found an immediate response in the 48th minute when Rafik Belghali surged down the right before picking out Riyad Mahrez with an inviting cross, but Denis Zakaria produced a crucial block to deny the winger.

That proved to be Algeria's best chance of the half as Vladimir Petkovic's men struggled to break down a disciplined Swiss defence.

With Algeria forced to chase the game, Switzerland looked increasingly dangerous on the counterattack.

A threatening move in the 53rd minute almost caught the Algerian backline out before Remo Freuler and Granit Xhaka took control of midfield, repeatedly breaking up attacks and dictating the tempo.

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Petkovic responded just before the hour mark by introducing Amine Gouiri and Jaouen Hadjam in a bid to inject more attacking threat, but Murat Yakin's side remained firmly in control.

Algeria's possession dropped significantly after the break as Switzerland comfortably managed the game, restricting their opponents to speculative efforts while continuing to create openings of their own.

Following the hydration break in the 68th minute, both coaches shuffled their packs, with Noah Okafor and Fabian Rieder introduced for Switzerland, while Hicham Boudaoui and Anis Hadj Moussa came on for Algeria.

Boudaoui lasted barely two minutes before picking up a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Xhaka.

Switzerland continued to threaten from set-pieces and almost added a third in the 75th minute when Rieder's low effort was cleared off the line after Algeria failed to deal with a corner.

The substitute then squandered an even better opportunity six minutes later, somehow diverting Zakaria's low cross back across an open goal with only the goalkeeper beaten.

Algeria threw on Adil Boulbina for the closing stages in a final attempt to rescue the contest, but Switzerland comfortably saw out the six minutes of added time, with Gregor Kobel rarely troubled as the Swiss secured a professional 2-0 victory to book their place in the Round of 16 for the first time in 88 years.