Switzerland secured top spot in Group B with a 2-1 victory over Canada at BC Place in Vancouver, condemning the hosts to a last-32 match in Los Angeles against South Africa. The win means Switzerland will remain in Vancouver for the knockout stages.
Decoy tactics backfire for Canada
Canada coach Jesse Marsch admitted he used captain Alphonso Davies as a decoy, despite guaranteeing the Bayern Munich star would make his first appearance of the tournament. Davies remained on the bench as Switzerland took control. “Alphonso wasn’t ready yet so I was using him a little bit as a decoy,” Marsch said. “I wanted Switzerland to have to think about it.” Switzerland coach Murat Yakin was unfazed: “Right now we only react on what is happening on the pitch. We delivered as a team.”
Second-half surge decides the match
After a tense first half, Switzerland struck twice in 12 minutes after the break. Ruben Vargas opened the scoring 40 seconds into the second half, converting a cross from Johan Manzambi. Manzambi then doubled the lead in the 57th minute after defensive errors from Derek Cornelius and Luc de Fougerolles. Canada pulled one back through Promise David in the 76th minute, but Switzerland held on.
Injury concerns for Canada
Canada were without injured midfielder Ismaël Koné, who appeared on crutches before the match. Stephen Eustáquio was also unfit to start, forcing Marsch to deploy both Nathan Saliba and Mathieu Choinière. Marsch confirmed Davies would be ready for the knockout match, but the shorter turnaround could prove costly.
Switzerland’s knockout ambitions
Switzerland, who have lost seven straight World Cup knockout matches, will aim to break that streak when they return to Vancouver on 2 July. Yakin made four changes to his lineup, with Manzambi and Vargas rewarded for their contributions. “We deserve to be where we are right now,” Yakin said.
Canada finish second in Group B with four points, ahead of Bosnia-Herzegovina on goal difference. Despite the disappointment, Marsch remained optimistic: “We wanted to be here in Vancouver, but we still have a massive opportunity ahead of us, to still electrify the nation. Even though it’ll be from Los Angeles.”
