The Algerian national team bid farewell to the 2026 World Cup after losing to Switzerland by two goals.
Switzerland defeated Algeria 2-0 in a match held in the round of 32 of the World Cup.
The goals for Switzerland were scored by Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye.
The Swiss national team secured a spot in the round of 16 of the World Cup and awaits the winner of the Colombia vs. Ghana match.
The Swiss team broke its knockout stage curse in the World Cup, winning for the first time since the 1938 edition, after 7 knockout matches without a victory.
The Algerian team has not achieved any victory in the last 10 World Cup matches against European teams, settling for 4 draws and 6 losses.
video:1
Stab from the sons of the continent
The first goal for the Swiss team against Algeria came after Johan Manzambi passed a wonderful ball to Breel Embolo, who placed the ball in the net.
Embolo leads Switzerland's attack but is of Cameroonian origin, and Manzambi is of Angolan-Congolese origin.
The second goal for Switzerland was scored by Dan Ndoye, who is also a player of Senegalese origin.
Ndoye celebrated after scoring against Algeria in the style of a lion, referring to his original country's nickname, the Senegal national team known as the Lions of Teranga.
Thus, the Algerian team received a stab from the sons of its continent after the trio of African origin led the Swiss team to victory and qualification to the round of 16.
The Algerian team became the fifth African team to exit the World Cup from the round of 32.
Breel Embolo became the first Swiss player to score two or more goals in two different World Cup editions (2022-2026).
Embolo raised his tally to 4 goals in his World Cup appearances, becoming Switzerland's third top scorer in the tournament behind Josef Hügi (6 goals) and Xherdan Shaqiri (5 goals).
Formation
Luca Zidane returned to guard the goal for the Algerian national team against Switzerland at the expense of Oussama Benbot.
Meanwhile, Riyad Mahrez was in the starting lineup among coach Vladimir Petkovic's options.
At the age of 35 years and 131 days, Riyad Mahrez became the second oldest African player to start in a knockout match in the World Cup, after Senegalese Idrissa Gueye (36 years and 278 days) against Belgium in the round of 32 of the current edition.
On the other hand, Switzerland's coach Murat Yakin relied on a three-man attack to lead his team's formation against Algeria.
Match description
The Swiss team started the match with offensive pressure and succeeded in opening the scoring early in the eighth minute after Johan Manzambi passed a wonderful ball to Breel Embolo, who went one-on-one with the goal and easily placed the ball in the net, announcing a 1-0 lead.
⚽ Relying on quick transitions, the Swiss team surprised the Algerian team with a goal scored by Breel Embolo#WorldCup2026 | #Mundial2026 | #WorldCup#FIFAWorldCup2026 | #FIFAWorldCup | #beINWC26 pic.twitter.com/MuZPy7FHpI
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 3, 2026
The Algerian team responded with offensive attempts, as Houssem Aouar shot a ball from inside the penalty area that went past the left post, before trying his luck with another shot from outside the area that Gregor Kobel saved steadily.
Denis Zakaria missed a clear chance to extend Switzerland's lead after receiving a pass inside the penalty area, but the Algerian goalkeeper managed to save his shot, while Johan Manzambi was injured and received treatment on the field after the medical team intervened.
The Swiss team continued its attempts to extend the lead, and Denis Zakaria almost scored the second goal after rising to a cross from a free kick, but his header went just over the crossbar.
The following minutes witnessed strong interventions from the players of both teams, as the referee showed a yellow card to Farès Chaïbi after a violent tackle, while Switzerland and Algeria received several set pieces that were not utilized properly.
Breel Embolo almost created the second goal after meeting a cross inside the penalty area, but a defender cleared the ball at the last moment to a corner kick, before the Algerian team responded with an attempt from Farès Chaïbi, but his weak shot found Gregor Kobel in the right place.
The Swiss team started the second half in the best possible way, as Dan Ndoye took advantage of a rebound on the edge of the penalty area and powerfully shot it into the net in the 46th minute, doubling his team's lead to 2-0.
Dan Ndoye's powerful shot settles in Luca Zidane's net#WorldCup2026 | #Mundial2026 | #WorldCup#beINWC26 | #FIFAWorldCup2026 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/UDnSlYKz5k
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 3, 2026
The Algerian team tried to quickly reduce the deficit after Riyad Mahrez received a pass inside the penalty area and shot directly, but a defender intervened at the last moment and cleared the ball before it reached the goal.
Ibrahim Maza was injured after a strong tackle, receiving treatment on the field before returning to continue the match, while the referee awarded a free kick to Switzerland after a strong tackle by Ramiz Zerrouki.
In a very strange manner, Ruben Vargas missed a chance to score the third goal for Switzerland after being completely one-on-one with the goal.
