88 years in the waiting: efficient Switzerland end their knockout curse against Algeria

Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 to win a World Cup knockout tie for the first time since 1938. Breel Embolo tapped in a Johan Manzambi cross and Dan Ndoye punished an Algerian error, as the clinical Swiss saw off a wasteful Algeria. Granit Xhaka reached 150 caps; Switzerland reach the Round of 16 to face Colombia or Ghana.

Some droughts feel eternal until, suddenly, they end. Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 in Vancouver to win a World Cup knockout tie for the first time since 1938, an eighty-eight-year wait finally over. It was a tactical masterclass of efficiency: the Swiss had less of the ball but were far sharper with it, and they never looked like letting this one slip.

They started fast. On ten minutes twenty-year-old breakout star Johan Manzambi went on a brilliant mazy run down the wing and delivered the perfect cross for Breel Embolo to tap in. It set the tone, and Switzerland barely looked back.

The second was a sucker punch. Barely a minute into the second half, a poor Algerian clearance dropped to Dan Ndoye, who took a touch and fired a low drive into the bottom corner. Two-nil, and the Desert Foxes' afternoon was effectively over.

Algeria dominated possession, but that was the trap. They controlled fifty-five percent of the ball and could not fashion a clear chance against an organised Swiss defence led by Granit Xhaka, the captain marking a landmark night by becoming the first player in his country's history to reach 150 caps. The expected-goals count, 2.52 to 0.73 in Switzerland's favour, told the story of who really threatened.

For Algeria, under Vladimir Petković, it is a chastening exit. So impressive in the group, they were undone by their own profligacy and by Swiss ruthlessness, and another African side is out. Riyad Mahrez and his team-mates will rue the chances that never came.

Switzerland stay in Vancouver for a Round of 16 tie with the winner of Colombia versus Ghana, having come through a strong group. Murat Yakin's side are hardly spectacular, but they are hard to beat and clinical when it counts, exactly the profile that goes deep in tournaments.

For Kenya, Algeria's departure is another pang, the latest African hope to fall in the knockouts. But there is no time to dwell: Morocco, Cape Verde, Egypt and Ghana still carry the continent's torch, and Ghana could yet set up a date with these Swiss. Algeria wametoka, lakini bado tuna Morocco, Cape Verde, Misri na Ghana wanapigana: Algeria are gone, but we still have Morocco, Cape Verde, Egypt and Ghana fighting on. As the knockouts roar, Africa is bruised but unbowed. Our Africa verdict rated this Algeria, and they leave with regrets, while our Europe verdict knew never to write off the stubborn Swiss.