World Cup 2026: Switzerland Advances to Knockout Stage with 2-1 Victory Over Canada

According to a TTXVN correspondent in Geneva, that joy did not come easily. For most of the first half, many Swiss fans feared an undesirable scenario as they watched their team struggle against Canada. Memories of the opening match against Qatar were still fresh, where Switzerland let victory slip away due to an equalizer conceded in the 94th minute.

The anxiety truly lifted only after halftime. In the 46th minute, Ruben Vargas opened the scoring following an assist from Johan Manzambi, a young forward emerging as one of the notable discoveries of the 2026 World Cup. Not stopping there, Manzambi made his mark again by doubling the lead. With a cool finish inside the box, the player nicknamed "Joker" of Swiss football increased his tournament tally to three goals, becoming a name especially mentioned by fans after the match.

Canada fought back and scored a consolation goal in the final minutes, but that was not enough to prevent Switzerland from securing a 2-1 victory. This result allowed coach Murat Yakin's team to finish the group stage at the top of Group D and maintain an unbeaten record.

Right after the match, central areas in Geneva quickly turned into gathering spots for fans. Car horns, cheers, and spontaneous fireworks created a festive atmosphere that lasted throughout the night.

Speaking to a TTXVN correspondent, Ms. Octavia Redamakers did not hide her excitement: "This is a very impressive result. I believe the Swiss team can go far in this year's tournament. The players performed with great spirit and gave their all for the colors of their flag."

That confidence is built on Switzerland's journey through the group stage. The European side opened the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Qatar in a match where they controlled most of the play but let victory slip away in the final minutes. That result disappointed many fans and raised questions about the team's ability to progress far.

In the second match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, pressure remained as Switzerland played cautiously. Only after Johan Manzambi opened the scoring in the 74th minute did coach Murat Yakin's players relieve their anxiety and add three more goals to secure a commanding 4-1 victory.

The match against Canada was seen as a real test of Switzerland's ambitions. The opponent not only had home-field advantage but was also in high spirits after a 6-0 win over Qatar in the previous round. However, coach Murat Yakin's adjustments proved effective. For the first time in the tournament, Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi were both in the starting lineup from the beginning, and this duo delivered both decisive goals. The Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung praised this as one of coach Murat Yakin's most successful tactical decisions since the start of the tournament, stating that he met fan expectations with bold yet effective choices.

Not only Geneva but also many other cities like Zurich, Basel, and Lucerne joined in the festive atmosphere. After the doubts from the opening match, Swiss fans now have reason to believe that their team is in the form and confidence needed before entering the knockout stage.