Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi propelled Switzerland to the summit of World Cup Group B on Thursday with a decisive 2-1 victory over Canada. This win also marked a historic moment as the co-hosts secured their place in the knockout rounds for the first time.
As the top contenders clashed in Vancouver, the stakes were high, with both teams aware that a victory would grant them the group’s top spot and potentially an easier path in the knockout stages.
After Vargas and Manzambi netted their second-half goals, Switzerland emerged with a total of seven points, clinching the group’s top position. Although Promise David managed to score for Canada in the last 15 minutes, they still trailed by three points but celebrated advancing to the last 32 for the first time in their World Cup history.
Before this edition, the North Americans had never tasted victory in a World Cup finals match. However, finishing second in their pool, they are set to face the runner-up from Group A on Sunday in Los Angeles.
Switzerland, on the other hand, will face one of the top third-placed teams as their next challenge in the upcoming week.
Bosnia Herzegovina notches victory over Qatar
Bosnia-Herzegovina wrapped up third in Group B thanks to a 3-1 win over Qatar and will face an anxious wait to see if their four points are enough to extend their stay at the World Cup.
On a landmark afternoon for captain Edin Dzeko, who won his 150th cap for Bosnia, his side found the breakthrough their relentless first half pressure deserved when Kerim Alajbegovic produced the sort of moment that can illuminate a World Cup.
Picking up possession on the edge of the area in the 29th minute, he slalomed through a crowd of defenders before dispatching an unstoppable right-footed drive into the top corner.
Bosnia doubled their lead soon after in far less elegant fashion. Sead Kolasinac delivered a deep cross to Dzeko at the back post and, fittingly on his milestone appearance, the veteran striker played a decisive role, volleying the ball back across goal where it ricocheted off a Qatari and bobbled into the net for an own goal that appeared to settle the contest.
Qatar, who had spent almost the entire first half on the back foot, suddenly sprang to life minutes before the break as Hassan Al Haydos tapped home from close range, but the Bosnians always looked the more likely to score again on a sun-drenched afternoon and grabbed a third goal 10 minutes from the end through Ermin Mahmic to wrap up the victory.
Switzerland claims top spot in Group B
Prior to kick-off, Canada midfielder Ismael Kone entered the pitch in a wheelchair after suffering a leg break in Canada’s 6-0 demolition of Qatar last week and was treated to a standing ovation by the spectators at BC Place Vancouver.
Breel Embolo was presented with a golden chance to open the scoring for the Swiss after 10 minutes but could only fire straight at the goalkeeper before Manzambi struck the rebound into the chest of a defender.
Canada’s first big opportunity to break the deadlock arrived just after the half-hour as striker Cyle Larin cut in on his right foot and tried to bend the ball beyond Gregor Kobel.
The Swiss stopper was called into action again shortly before half-time as he dropped down to his right to palm a tame Ali Ahmed effort wide of his near post.
After an entertaining first half, the match sparked into life seconds after the interval as Vargas gave Switzerland lift-off.
A simple ball down the line released Manzambi, whose cross from the right evaded everyone until the 27-year-old popped up in acres of space at the back post and took an excellent first touch before rifling past Maxime Crepeau.
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Manzambi then put the cherry on a fine performance as he netted his third of the tournament on 57 minutes, profiting from some poor goalkeeping to squeeze in a right-footed shot after decent hold-up play on the edge of the box by Embolo.
Canada boss Jesse Marsch responded by making three substitutions, including sending on LAFC midfielder Stephen Eustaquio.
Jonathan David, who scored a hat-trick in Canada’s last outing, turned sharply in the Swiss box and fired an effort at goal as the co-hosts tried to get a foot back in the match before the second hydration break, but Nico Elvedi flung himself in the ball’s path.
But moments after the three-minute break, Promise David, who had just entered the field, gave Canada hope as he stretched to turn in a sublime ball from Nathan Saliba.
The goal set up a grandstand finish with a leveller for Canada certain to send them through as group winners.
The Canadians came close from a couple of set-pieces at the match’s climax but Switzerland held on to claim top spot.