• World Cup co-hosts reach historic knockout stage
• With 3-1 victory over Qatar, Bosnia secures third place in Group B
VANCOUVER: Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi scored second-half goals as Switzerland secured top spot in World Cup Group B with a 2-1 victory over Canada on Wednesday, while the co-hosts also booked a historic place in the knockout rounds.
With the group’s top two sides meeting in Vancouver, both teams knew that victory would guarantee first place and, in theory, a more favourable path in the knockout stages.
Goals from Vargas and Manzambi after the break ensured Switzerland finished atop the standings on seven points. Promise David pulled one back for Canada in the final 15 minutes, but the hosts ended three points behind the Swiss. Nevertheless, Canada advanced to the last 32 for the first time in their history. Before the tournament, the North Americans had never won a match at a World Cup finals. Their second-place finish in the group means they will face the Group A runners-up in LA on Sunday.
Switzerland will take on one of the best third-placed teams in the next round.
Bosnia versus Qatar
Elsewhere, Bosnia and Herzegovina secured third place in Group B with a 3-1 victory over Qatar and must now wait anxiously to learn whether their four-point tally will be enough to earn progression to the knockout stage.
Prior to kick-off, Canada midfielder Ismael Koné entered the pitch in a wheelchair after suffering a broken leg during his side’s 6-0 demolition of Qatar last week. The crowd at BC Place in Vancouver responded with a standing ovation.
Switzerland nearly took the lead after 10 minutes when Breel Embolo was presented with a golden opportunity, but he fired straight at the goalkeeper. Manzambi reacted quickest to the rebound, only to see his effort blocked by a defender.
Canada’s first clear chance arrived shortly after the half-hour mark. Striker Cyle Larin cut inside onto his right foot and attempted to curl an effort beyond Gregor Kobel, who remained alert.
The Swiss goalkeeper was called into action again just before half-time, diving low to his right to push away a tame effort from Ali Ahmed.
After an entertaining opening period, the match burst into life moments after the restart as Vargas broke the deadlock.
A simple ball down the flank released Manzambi, whose cross from the right evaded everyone before reaching Vargas at the back post. The 27-year-old controlled brilliantly before rifling a shot past Maxime Crépeau.
Manzambi then capped an outstanding display by doubling Switzerland’s advantage in the 57th minute. After excellent hold-up play from Embolo on the edge of the area, the forward capitalised on hesitant goalkeeping to squeeze home a right-footed effort for his third goal of the tournament.
Canada manager Jesse Marsch responded with a triple substitution, including the introduction of LAFC midfielder Stephen Eustaquio.
Jonathan David, fresh from a hat-trick in Canada’s previous match, came close to reducing the deficit when he turned sharply inside the box and unleashed a shot that was bravely blocked by Nico Elvedi.
Moments after the second-half hydration break, substitute Promise David reignited Canadian hopes. Stretching to meet a superb delivery from Nathan Saliba, he guided the ball into the net to set up a tense finale.
The goal raised the prospect of a dramatic equaliser that would have sent Canada through as group winners. The hosts threatened from a series of late set-pieces, but Switzerland held firm to secure victory and claim top spot in Group B.
Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2026