Switzerland edge Canada for top of the table, Bosnia dream of knockout phase after beating Qatar

The Group B picture is complete, making it the first group in the 2026 World Cup to wrap up its campaign.

Thanks to their 2-1 victory over Canada, Switzerland will advance to the knockout phase as the group leader, while the hosts had to settle for second place.

The European team sealed the deal in the early part of the second half, scoring twice within 11 minutes through Ruben Vargas (46th minute) and Johan Manzambi (57th minute).

Only after conceding twice did Jesse Marsch’s men start courageously attacking, which paid off in the 76th minute when the substitute Promise David reduced the gap, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a defeat and end the group stage as Group B leaders.

On the other hand, in the battle for third place, Bosnia and Herzegovina brushed aside Julen Lopetegui’s Qatar 3-1, mainly thanks to their excellent first-half performance, and came close to progressing as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Kerim Alajbegovic's screamer and Sultan Al-Brake’s own goal gave Bosnia the early 2-0 lead. Qatar captain Hassan Al-Haydos pulled one back shortly before the break, while Ermin Mahmic’s 80th-minute goal definitely sealed the Asian side’s fate.

In Vancouver, the top spot in the group was on the line, but despite the natural pressure, both Canada and Switzerland pushed for a goal. Unfortunately, for over 50,000 people in the stands, the opening half produced several chances but no goals.

Cyle Larin at one end and Breel Embolo at the other were the standout performers in attack, but both keepers were inspired.

The rivals combined for five attempts on target, but the custodians stood firm and shut the door.

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However, after all the misses before the break, the goal came just 38 seconds into the second half, as Ruben Vargas broke the deadlock, catching the Canadian defence napping.

When Johan Manzambi doubled his team's lead 11 minutes after the opener, following a quick counterattack and thanks to the Canada keeper Maxime Crepeau's poor reaction, it was clear that the hosts would have to settle for the second place in Group B.

Nevertheless, things didn't go so smoothly for the Swiss, as Canada managed to pull one back in the 76th minute through Promise David, who came off the bench just a minute earlier. The striker of Nigerian descent revived his compatriots' hope that the top spot in the group was within reach, as even the draw worked in the Reds' favour.

Still, it wasn't enough, as Murat Yakin's men managed to defend their lead and clinch the top spot in the group and likely the easier rival in the Round of 32.

In Seattle, the situation was clear. Each side entered the game with one point ahead of this game and needed a win to clinch third place in the group and most likely book its spot among the eight best third-placed sides and advance to the knockout phase.

However, as if they did not believe they could pull it off, the Qatari players looked flat and uninspired from the outset, and their rivals knew how to punish them.

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Bosnia controlled the game from the opening whistle, and it seemed only a matter of time before they broke down Julen Lopetegui's men.

Their moment finally came after the hydration break, when they scored twice within five minutes - in the 29th and 34th - through Kerim Alajbegovic, who netted a screamer and Sultan Al Brake, who mistakenly diverted the ball into his own net.

In the 38th minute, Edin Dzeko came close to making it 3-0 when he struck the post, and only four minutes later, Hassan Al-Haydos pulled one back, scoring from Qatar's first shot of the game, while Pedro Miguel's powerful strike crashed against the post in added time, keeping Bosnia in front at the break.

Unlike the first half, the second period produced little chances, as the pressure overwhelmed both teams. Qatar were more concrete pursuing the potential equalizer, but not efficient enough to create a goal-scoring chance and find the net.

On the other hand, Bosnia waited for their opportunity to hand a lethal blow, which came in the 80th minute, when Ermin Mahmic made it 3-1 following a scramble in the rivals' box.Thanks to this triumph, Sergej Barbarez's men clinched third spot in Group B, but will have to wait for the end of the group stage and hope their four points will be enough to advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 3)

Group B

Wednesday

Bosnia and Herzegovina - Qatar 3-1 (2-1)

/Alajbegovic 29, Al-Brake 34 og, Mahmic 80 - Al-Haydos 42/

Switzerland - Canada 2-1 (0-0)

/Vargas 46, Manzambi 57 - David 76/