Switzerland ended an 88-year wait to win a World Cup knockout match by defeating Algeria 2-0 in a Round of 16 encounter held in Vancouver. The victory secured Switzerland’s place in the tournament’s last 16 for the first time since 1938, when they advanced after a replay in a match against Germany at Paris’s Parc des Princes.

Goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye ensured Switzerland’s progression. Embolo opened the scoring in the 10th minute, marking his 26th international goal, while Ndoye doubled the lead shortly after the second half began. Ndoye, who plays for Nottingham Forest, capitalized on a defensive error to fire past Algeria’s goalkeeper Luca Zidane.

Swiss coach Murat Yakin described the opening goal as a "lucky punch" but emphasized that his team dominated play afterward, praising the performance against a squad featuring strong individual talents. Ndoye highlighted the significance of the win, stating that the team had "written one page of history" but remains focused on advancing further in the competition.

Algeria faced an immediate setback in the second half following the defensive lapse that allowed Ndoye’s goal. The defeat marked the conclusion of Riyad Mahrez’s international career. Mahrez reflected on his time with the national team as a mixture of highs and lows and expressed gratitude for representing Algeria, calling it "an immense honour." He signaled a transition to a new generation by urging continued progress and development within the squad. As he left the pitch, Mahrez acknowledged the fans with a thumbs-up and a wave.

Switzerland’s progress follows their previous advancement in a play-off game from the group stage in Basel in 1954. Both Swiss milestones have set the stage for the current squad to target a place in the quarter-finals, echoing ambitions that span nearly a century since their last knockout win in the World Cup.