Switzerland 2-0 Algeria - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

Switzerland Tobler-own Algeria in comfortable win

The Swiss are a mainstay at international tournaments, at least in recent times, but had struggled to go much further than the first knockout stage previously. They made certain that they changed those fortunes here with a very professional performance against Algeria, who were rather toothless across the pitch.

It was two early goals, one in the first by Breel Embolo and one in the second by Dan Ndoye that ultimately proved too much for the African side as they were dispatched in rather simple fashion in the end.

Switzerland 2-0 Algeria as it happened

The game started in a rather even manner with both sides looking to get on the front foot, that was until the 10th minute anyway.

Some exceptional footwork to evade a few stern Algerian challenges down the left hand side saw Johan Manzambi, who took his tally to five goal involvements at this World Cup, pull the ball back from the byline and onto a silver platter for the awaiting Embolo who had no choice but to score from inside the six-yard box. An early goal for the Swiss and a wonderful one at that.

Switzerland managed to get themselves on top with some long periods of controlled posession from there.

The initial moments of Algerian creativity were almost entirely stifled by Murat Yakin's side, who settled into a comfortable flow whilst also looking the more likely to score again with a few slick moves into opposition territory.

Algeria did have a late chance to get back on level terms when Riyad Mahrez's cross found Houssem Aouar, who cushioned into the path of Ibrahim Maza. His effort was ultimately dragged wide, though, and the half time whistle soon followed.

Half time: Switzerland 2-0 Algeria

It took the Swiss even less time in the second half to do what they did in the first. Just 48 seconds after the restart Algeria played themselves into trouble after failing to clear an initial cross. The ball fell to the feet of the onrushing Ndoye, 16 yards out, who took a touch to set himself before guiding an excellent finish into the far corner of the net. A nightmare start for Algeria and a mountain to climb.

The Algerian chances continued to be few and far between, the best of which coming thanks to a low Belghali cross that fell to Mahrez. The captain saw his effort blocked well, though, and the move ultimately came to nothing.

The hydration break brought the last chance for Algerian boss Petkovic to rally his troops, but all the break seemed to do was put the tie further out of reach as Switzerland immediately got back in the front foot.

A cross into the box fell to Rieder, but he saw his effort stopped courtesy of a depserate block by Belghali to keep the game just about within the realms of an all-timer comeback.

In the 81st minute Switzerland had a golden chance to put the game entirely out of reach when the ball was pulled across to Rieder once again, who had the goal gaping at the back post.

Rieder has never scored for his country, and showed every single bit of why as he could only redirect the ball back into the arms of the scrambling Zidane, a simply horrible miss by the substitute.

That squandered chance marked the end of the meaningful action. Algeria did keep trying to get back into the game, but, as was the case with the rest of the 90 minutes, their attempts were fruitless and did more to reinforce Switzerland's superiority than threaten the goal.

The full time whistle blew and brought to a close not only Algeria's 2026 campaign, but possibly the end of Mahrez's World Cup career too.

For Switzerland, they await to see who they will face, with Colombia and Ghana facing off to join them in the round of 16. But if how easy they breezed past Algeria is anything to go by, they will feel confident no matter who they play next.

Switzerland player ratings

Kobel - 7

Zakaria - 8 Elvedi - 7 Akanji - 7 Rodriguez 7

Freuler - 6 Xhaka - 7

Ndoye - 8 Manzambi - 8 Vargas - 7

Embolo - 8

Substitues Rieder (70') - 3 (that sitter was unforgivable) Okafor (70') - 6 Amdouni (82') - 5 Aebischer (87') - N/A Widmer (87') - N/A

Algeria player ratings

Zidane - 5 Belghali - 6 Mandi - 3 Bensebaini - 4 Ait Nouri - 5

Bentaleb - 7 Zerrouki - 3 Chaibi -5

Mahrez - 5 Maza - 4 Aouar - 4

Substitutes Hadjam (58') - 5 Gouiri (58') - 4 Boudaoui (71') - 4 Hadj Moussa (71') - 6 Boulbina (82') - N/A

Man of the Match: Johan Manzambi

This may be somewhat harsh on bith Ndoye and Embolo, but Manzambi was often the drivinf force behind Switzerland's creative output here, and has been throughout the tournament in all fairness.

The youngster made it five goal contributions across the tournament so far with a magical assists in the 10th minute and was a thorn in the side of the Algerian backline and midfield throughout his 70 minutes on the pitch.

Unfortunately for me as a Newcastle fan, he probably put his transfer price up by another £20m and gained the interest of some top clubs with that performance...