Switzerland Beat Canada to Finish Top of Group B

Switzerland finished at the top of Group B and reached the World Cup knockout stage for the fourth tournament in a row after beating Canada 2-1 in Vancouver.

After a quiet start, the Swiss created the first real chance when Breel Embolo got through on goal, but Maxime Crépeau made a strong save. Johan Manzambi then tried to score from the rebound, only for Derek Cornelius to block the effort.

The cooling break in the first half did little to change the flow of the game. However, a heated moment between Cyle Larin and Granit Xhaka after the half-hour mark seemed to lift Canada. Larin soon tested Gregor Kobel with a curling shot.

Xhaka also had a chance from a free-kick, but Canada looked more dangerous towards the end of the half. Ali Ahmed got into a good position on the left but could not beat Kobel, while Jonathan David created space for a shot near the edge of the box before sending his effort wide.

After a quiet first half, the match came to life just 40 seconds after the restart. Switzerland attacked down the right flank, and Johan Manzambi sent a low cross into the box. The ball reached Rubén Vargas at the far post, and he calmly fired it into the bottom corner to give his side the lead.

Switzerland doubled their advantage 11 minutes later. A long pass caught the Canadian defense off guard, allowing Breel Embolo to hold up the ball before setting up Manzambi. The youngster then slipped his shot underneath Maxime Crépeau to score his third goal of the tournament.

Canada responded by bringing on Promise David, and the substitution made an immediate impact. Nathan Saliba controlled a long ball brilliantly and lifted it across the goal, where David stretched to volley home and pull one back for his team.

Canada pushed hard in the closing stages and kept Switzerland under pressure. However, Tani Oluwaseyi headed wide, while Promise David's header was comfortably saved by Gregor Kobel, allowing the Swiss side to hold on for the win. The result means Switzerland has now avoided defeat in 17 of its last 19 group-stage matches at major tournaments.