Switzerland stole top spot in Group B thanks to their 2-1 win over Canada at the 2026 World Cup.
Murat Yakin’s side struck twice inside 12 minutes directly after the break through Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi to put the game beyond the reach of the Canadians.
The goals came after a very tight first half which saw few chances for either side but the Swiss’ superior talent and tournament experience then shone through.
Promise David did come off the bench to combine with Nathan Saliba for a brilliant consolation but Jesse Marsch’s men could not find a late equaliser and were forced to settle for second.
How Switzerland won to top Group B
Manzambi makes his mark yet again
Granit Xhaka has been Switzerland’s main man for the last decade. But a different midfielder at a different stage of his career is leading the way this summer.
Johan Manzambi came off the bench against Bosnia-Herzegovina to change both the game — scoring twice in a 4-1 win — and his country’s prospects in truth.
He was rewarded with a first start of the tournament and duly rewarded Yakin’s faith in him. Manzambi added another goal to his tally to go ahead of the likes of Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo in the top scorer charts.
Manzambi struck just before the hour-mark against Canada, sending the ball past Maxime Crepeau after a long ball and Breel Embolo caused chaos for the Canadian defence.
The 20-year-old also played in a role in Switzerland’s opener, squaring the ball for Ruben Vargas to break the deadlock less than a minute into the second half.
After being a driving force in Freiburg’s run to the Europa League final, Manzambi is quickly becoming the new Swiss superstar.
A big post-tournament move surely awaits.
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The Swiss on course to end 88 years of hurt
Manzambi, Vargas, Xhaka and co. have ensured Switzerland’s progression to the knockout stages of a seventh consecutive tournament.
It’s a remarkable achievement and has included round-of-16 victories over France and Italy at the last two European Championships.
However, it is a staggering 88 years since the Swiss have tasted victory in the knockout stages of a World Cup, dating back to 1938 and a penalty shootout victory over Germany. The tournament was also a straight knockout format back in that time.
| World Cup | Switzerland’s finish |
|---|---|
| 1934 | Quarter-finals |
| 1938 | Quarter-finals |
| 1950 | Group stage |
| 1954 | Quarter-finals |
| 1962 | Group stage |
| 1966 | Group stage |
| 1994 | Round of 16 |
| 2006 | Round of 16 |
| 2010 | Group stage |
| 2014 | Round of 16 |
| 2018 | Round of 16 |
| 2022 | Round of 16 |
They did reach the quarter-finals in 1954 as well when they were hosts but that was the first knockout round. This summer now feels like a prime opportunity for history to be made and there will be a serious determination to make amends for the 6-1 defeat to Portugal four years ago.
Yakin has said as much, stating their goal is: “To play the best World Cup a Swiss national team has ever had.”
And no one will fancy taking on his typically strong and sturdy side.
Both their confirmed round-of-32 clash and possible last-16 tie will take place in Vancouver, meaning the Swiss can get comfortable in the west of Canada.
Plenty of Promise from the bench
While Canada may have lost both the game and top spot, there were still reasons for Jesse Marsch and his side to be positive.
Trailing 2-0, they could have fallen further apart but instead rallied to create a grandstand finish. It came via yet another key contribution from a substitute.
Like Switzerland’s second goal, it started with a relatively straightforward long ball as football continues to occasionally show that the past remains the present.
From here, it was two pieces of brilliance that breached Gregor Kobel’s net. Midfielder Nathan Saliba’s take down and cross were both of the highest quality while Promise David’s volley with an outstretched foot was equally exquisite.
It’s usually another David doing the business for the Reds but this was time it was the substitute, who scored with his first touch after just 73 seconds.
The 24-year-old’s goal was the fifth either scored or assisted by a player coming off the bench for Canada in just three games, starting with Cyle Larin’s historic and crucial equaliser against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Only Germany have had more goals scored by subsitutes (seven) showing Marsch has the Midas touch when it comes to in-game changes but might have some decisions to make ahead of their round-of-32 clash in Los Angeles.
Canada make history despite defeat
While top spot would have sealed home advantage for the one and possibly two knockout rounds, Canada continue to make history this summer.
After securing both their first point and their first win at the World Cup in their opening two games, the co-hosts have now qualified to the knockout rounds for the very first time at the third attempt.
| World Cup hosts not to qualify for knockout rounds | Year |
| South Africa | 2010 |
| Qatar | 2022 |
They join USA and Mexico in the round-of-32 which should make the action even more thrilling in the coming months.
Facing one of South Korea, Czechia or South Africa, the Canadians will fancy their chances of breaking more boundaries in the coming weeks.