A 39-second second-half jolt flipped Group B, with Switzerland striking Canada immediately after the restart and holding on for a 2-1 World Cup win at BC Place.
Vargas shocks Canada after Manzambi delivery
The first half had been low-key, though Breel Embolo should have changed it after 10 minutes when Ricardo Rodriguez sent him through and Maxime Crepeau denied the one-on-one. Canada had moments through Cyle Larin and Ali Ahmed, but Gregor Kobel handled both.
Switzerland returned with the urgency the game had lacked. Johan Manzambi crossed from the right, the ball skipped beyond Embolo and two Canada players, and Ruben Vargas took one touch to set himself before firing in at 46 minutes.
Manzambi punishes Canada as Swiss turn clinical
The decisive break came in the 57th minute. Embolo carried the ball into the box after Alistair Johnston lost his footing, then found Manzambi, whose first-time shot went through Crepeau’s gloves for 2-0.
Jesse Marsch responded with changes, and Canada finally found life. Promise David came on in the 75th minute and scored in the 76th, volleying in after Nathan Saliba controlled a long ball and teed him up.
Switzerland survives Canada pressure to seize top spot
The game’s statistics captured the contradiction. Switzerland had 56% possession and 367 passes to Canada’s 264, yet Canada led shots 11-6, shots on target 5-4 and corners 7-2. Canada also produced the higher xG, 1.34 to 1.06, while discipline added edge: Switzerland committed 19 fouls to Canada’s 12, and Canada had two yellow cards to Switzerland’s one.
Canada pushed late, with Derek Cornelius and Johnston both having headed openings, but Kobel and the Swiss defence held. Switzerland finish first on 7 points, while Canada end second on 4 and will face the runners-up from Group A; Switzerland meet a third-placed team in the last 32.
Match Information
Competition: World Cup. Date & Time: Wednesday 24 June 2026, 21:00 CET. Venue: BC Place, Vancouver. Referee: Ramon Abatti Abel, Brazil.
