Switzerland 2-1 Canada
The Swiss are staying in Vancouver and World Cup 2026 co-hosts Canada are moving far from home to Los Angeles.
That’s the upshot of this Group B decider and what an entertaining contest it was.
After an even first half, Switzerland took control in the second period and did just enough to finish top of the standings.
Despite their disappointment in defeat, the Canadians can console themselves by the fact that, fresh from their first ever World Cup win, they have reached the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time in their history.
A side which narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in last year’s Copa America, their adventure on the biggest stage of all will continue for a little while longer yet.
Highlights of the game
In a lively first half, Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau denied Breel Embolo early on before the rebound from Johan Manzambi – who last week became the youngest player to score a double as a substitute – was blocked by Derek Cornelius.
Crepeau was also equal to a powerful Embolo effort and a Ruben Vargas shot but it was far from one-way and, just after the half hour mark, Cyle Larin burst forward at pace and Gregor Kobel had to be alert.
If the SBOTOP World Cup 2026 betting odds were evenly matched, they changed quickly as the second half began in pulsating fashion – within 60 seconds of the restart, in fact.
That’s how long it took Freiburg man Manzambi to shift the ball into the path of Vargas who calmly slotted home the opener.
A decisive few moments arrived 10 minutes later.
First, Larin failed to get a close range header on target. Then, at the other end, poor defending preceded a Crepeau misjudgement as he was unable to keep out a Manzambi shot following good work from Embolo who is enjoying a fine tournament.
A set of World Cup 2026 highlights in the first 11 minutes of the second half had won the day for Murat Yakin’s Swiss, who combined a crop of established pros and emerging young talents.
Canada pulled one back when Promise David produced a fine instinctive first-time finish with his first touch after super skill and an inviting pass from Nathan Saliba.
It sparked a spell of pressure from the co-hosts with Cornelius narrowly off target and, in stoppage time, an Alistair Johnson header lacking sufficient power to trouble Kobel.
The charge came too late for Canada who are not able to stay on home turf but they have made their own history.
Now for the real stuff.
Key statistics
Switzerland are unbeaten in nine of their last competitive matches.
Switzerland have scored over 1.5 goals in seven of their last 10 matches.
Vargas has scored or assisted in four of his last five appearances.
This was Canada’s first defeat in eight competitive matches.
What’s next?
The last 16 ties are yet to be confirmed but the chances are Canada will face South Korea on Sunday (June 28).
There are a whole host of permutations for Switzerland who will play their last 32 tie on July 3.
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