Switzerland secured their first FIFA World Cup knockout-stage victory since 1938 with a comfortable 2-0 win over Algeria to book a place in the Round of 16.
Goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye ensured the Swiss ended an 88-year wait for a knockout victory as they produced a composed display in Vancouver.
Switzerland made the perfect start, taking the lead in the 10th minute after brilliant work down the wing by Johan Manzambi. The Freiburg midfielder beat his marker before cutting the ball back for Rennes striker Embolo, who calmly converted from close range.
The Swiss doubled their advantage just 46 seconds into the second half when Nottingham Forest winger Ndoye finished clinically from inside the penalty area to put the game beyond Algeria.
It was the first time Switzerland had scored more than once in a World Cup knockout match since their dramatic 7-5 quarter-final defeat to Austria in 1954.
Algeria, chasing a historic first victory in the World Cup knockout stages, showed brief signs of life before halftime. Their best chance fell to Fares Chaibi, whose tame effort was comfortably gathered by Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. They struggled to create meaningful opportunities after the interval.
Switzerland could have added a third goal late in the match when Fabian Rieder found himself unmarked at the back post, but he miscued his effort, allowing Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane to make a comfortable save.
The victory also marked Switzerland’s first World Cup knockout-stage win since defeating Germany in the Round of 16 at the 1938 tournament, before the introduction of the modern group-stage format.
Murat Yakin’s side have now reached the Round of 16 for the fourth consecutive World Cup and will face the winner of the Colombia versus Ghana clash on July 7 at BC Place in Vancouver.
