Switzerland lead World Cup group B with 2-1 win over Canada to secure spot in knockout-round
A stunning second-half comeback killer! Switzerland stunned co-hosts Canada with a 2-1 victory to steal top spot in Group B and change the knockout-stage picture.
Both teams entered the match almost guaranteed a place in the last 32, but Canada needed just a draw to keep their knockout games in Vancouver. Instead, Switzerland delivered a ruthless second-half performance to claim first place.
The turning point came just seconds after the restart. Rubén Vargas fired Switzerland ahead only 39 seconds into the second half, finishing brilliantly after Johan Manzambi’s cross.
The Swiss doubled their advantage 11 minutes later when Manzambi added the second, with his shot slipping through goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau’s hands after a powerful build-up involving Breel Embolo.
Canada refused to surrender. Substitute Promise David pulled one back in the 76th minute, scoring just moments after entering the pitch following a brilliant assist from Nathan Saliba.
The hosts pushed desperately for an equaliser, but Switzerland held firm. Derek Cornelius came closest, missing two late chances that could have changed the result.
With the defeat, Canada still advance but finish second in the group and will now travel to Los Angeles for their last-32 clash. Switzerland celebrate a huge win, claiming Group B’s top spot and sending a warning to the rest of the tournament..
Switzerland 2-1 Canada final score, match stats, facts, records
Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Canada's Historic Breakthrough: Despite the loss, Canada officially advanced to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in the men's national team's history.
Switzerland have qualified from the group stage in each of the last four FIFA World Cup tournaments (2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026), while they finished top of their group for just the second time in the competition, previously doing so in 2006.
Canada qualified for the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup with just four points (W1 D1 L1); the fewest by a home nation to qualify from the group stage since USA in 1994 (also 4).
Johan Manzambi and Rubén Vargas are the first pair of Swiss teammates to both score in back-to-back FIFA World Cup games since 1954, when Robert Ballamann and Josef Hügi both did so (v Italy and Austria).
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