Switzerland outclassed Algeria in 2-0 win on day five of the World Cup round of 32

The Round of 32 culminated in a late-night match between Switzerland and Algeria. The 11 pm ET kickoff is the last "World Cup after dark" game of this tournament, as the remaining games all begin no later than 9 pm. Unfortunately, the game itself didn't live up to the hype for those who stayed up late to watch it.

Switzerland came into this knockout round game as the winners of Group B. They have been dubbed a dark horse at this tournament, as they have for the last five World Cups dating back to 2006. They have not lived up to that billing, making the Round of 16 four times and getting grouped once. In 2026, they took on Algeria and won a knockout game for the first time since 1954, but they are still only in the Round of 16 thanks to the expanded format.

Algeria made it to the knockout rounds on the final day of the group stage following a thrilling 3-3 draw with Austria. That result meant both teams made it to the knockout stage, but they didn't know that they'd be knocked out on the same day. The Algerians were among the best third-place finishers and reached the knockout rounds for the second time in the five times they've made the World Cup.

General view as players walk out before the start of the match

Albert Gea

World Cup Round of 32 - Switzerland vs Algeria

The stage was set. Switzerland was ready to use its speed in counterattacks to hit Algeria when they committed numbers forward. The Algerian's were looking to feed veteran winger Riyad Mahrez and hope he could produce a moment of magic. The tale of the game would be told in the European team executing their game plan better than the African side.

Switzerland's Breel Embolo scores their first goal

Albert Gea

Algeria came out and possessed the ball early in the first half. They passed the ball through the front five of their seldom-used 4-1-2-3 formation, but none of the passes penetrated the solid defensive structure of Switzerland's 4-2-3-1. This was the case for the first 10 minutes, and then Switzerland hit Algeria hard.

Manzambi went on a lung-busting run from just about midfield all the way to Algeria's box. The defenders failed to stop him from reaching the endline, where he saw Embolo's run; a quick cutback found him for a tap-in goal. The rest of the first half saw Algeria dominate the ball and create two big chances, both of which were missed. Switzerland took a 1-0 lead into halftime and was not content with that.

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Switzerland v Algeria - BC Place, Vancouver, Canada - July 2, 2026.Switzerland's Dan Ndoye scores their second goal REUTERS/Lee Smith TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Lee Smith

Just 48 seconds into the second half, Switzerland decided they needed a two-goal lead to feel comfortable. They put pressure on Algeria, who couldn't clear the ball far enough, and it found the foot of Ndoye, who guided his shot past the Algerian defense and goalkeeper. It was 2-0 in the 46th minute, and the rest of the match would see Algeria scrambling to get back into the game, but Switzerland wouldn't let them.

The Swiss played harder after going up 2-0. They didn't let Algeria swing the ball around to lull them to sleep, stepping up their time on the ball, frustrating Algeria. The Algerians had to run around trying to nick the ball from the Swiss, but when they did, they were impotent in attack, creating no shots in the second half. Switzerland took this game 2-0 and is moving on to the Round of 16.

Switzerland's Dan Ndoye celebrates scoring their second goal

Lee Smith

Switzerland won their first World Cup knockout game in 88 years, and now they will take on the winner of the Colombia-Ghana match. This team has looked good, but history tells us they will likely crash out in their next match. Can they make the quarterfinals and shock the World? We'll have to wait and see.

For Algeria, this was Riyad Mahrez's last match; he announced his retirement afterward, noting that the youth coming up now will have the chance to build on what his generation did, getting to the knockout rounds twice

Day 6 of the Round of 32

We are now onto the last day of the Round of 32 already! The final matches will solidify the Round of 16 matchups. Will Australia or Egypt take on Argentina or Cape Verde, and who will play Switzerland, Colombia, or Ghana? Tune in this Friday to find out!

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