Johan Manzambi magic sends Switzerland through as Group B winners
Freiburg attacker Johan Manzambi scored one and created another as Switzerland defeated co-hosts Canada 2-1 in Vancouver to advance to the round of 32 as Group B winners at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Switzerland 2-1 Canada
Goals: 1-0 Vargas 46' (assist: Manzambi), 2-0 Manzambi 57' (assist: Embolo), 2-1 P. David 76' (assist: Saliba)
Switzerland and Canada met in the final Group B fixture at BC Place in Vancouver, with both sides battling for top spot in the section. Canada entered the match in first place on goal difference, having recorded a stunning 6-0 win over Qatar in their previous outing.
Switzerland, meanwhile, had impressed with a 4-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, in which Manzambi scoring a late brace off the bench. The Freiburg midfielder was rewarded with his first World Cup start today, one of four changes made by Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin.
For Canada, head coach Jesse Marsch made two changes, bringing in Mathieu Choinière and Nathan-Dylan Saliba, while Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies remained on the bench as he continued his recovery from injury.
A lively but goalless first half
Canada kicked off and immediately set about pressing Switzerland high up the pitch, looking to disrupt their opponents' build-up play. The Swiss, in contrast, sought to control possession and play through the lines.
The first real chance fell to Switzerland in the 11th minute: a perfectly weighted through-ball from Ricardo Rodríguez sent Breel Embolo clear, but the striker's shot was well saved by Maxime Crépeau, and Manzambi's follow-up was blocked.
Canada responded, with Cyle Larin breaking through on goal shortly after, only to be denied by Gregor Kobel — though the effort was flagged offside in any case. The match grew increasingly physical around the half-hour mark, with both Larin and Granit Xhaka receiving yellow cards in the 32nd minute after a confrontation.
Xhaka then fired a free-kick well over the bar from a promising position in the 38th minute. Canada grew into the game as the half wore on, with Ali Ahmed and Jonathan David both going close, but the sides went in level at the break.
Vargas fires Switzerland ahead
Switzerland wasted no time after the restart. Within seconds of the second half beginning, Manzambi burst down the right flank and whipped a low cross into the box.
Former Augsburg attacker Rubén Vargas arrived at the back post and lashed the ball powerfully into the net via the inside of the post to give Switzerland the lead in the 46th minute. Canada were stunned and struggled to find their footing in the immediate aftermath, with Switzerland continuing to threaten through Manzambi and Vargas.
Manzambi doubles the lead
Switzerland doubled their advantage in the 57th minute. Embolo did brilliantly to hold up a long ball and lay it off for Manzambi, who drove a first-time effort from around 16 metres into the net. The goal was Manzambi's third of the tournament, and his second contribution of the afternoon, cementing his status as Switzerland's top scorer at the competition.
Canada head coach Marsch responded immediately, making a triple substitution in the 58th minute, bringing on Tani Oluwaseyi, Stephen Eustaquio, and Liam Millar in place of Larin, Choinière, and Ahmed.
Canada fight back through substitute David
Canada continued to press and created several chances, with Nico Elvedi making a crucial block to deny David in the 68th minute. Switzerland made further changes in the 74th minute, introducing Michel Aebischer and Silvan Widmer.
Canada then brought on Promise David for Tajon Buchanan in the 75th minute, and the substitute made an immediate impact. Just 60 seconds later, Saliba raced forward and delivered a cross from the right; David, with his very first touch of the game, tapped in at the back post to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
The goal sparked a frantic finale, with Canada pushing hard for an equaliser. Derek Cornelius headed narrowly wide from a throw-in, and Millar was booked in the 87th minute for a foul on Dan Ndoye. Switzerland brought on Christian Fassnacht and Cedric Itten in the 85th minute to help see out the result.
Kobel stands firm in a tense finale
Six minutes of added time were signalled, and Canada threw everything at Switzerland in search of an equaliser.
Kobel was called upon repeatedly, saving a glancing header from David in the 93rd minute, then denying Alistair Johnston and David again in the closing moments, but ultimatley Switzerland held on for a 2-1 victory, claiming top spot in Group B.
