By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@APPhoto.
Switzerland secured their first World Cup knockout stage win since 1938 as they comfortably beat Algeria 2-0 to book a last-16 place on Thursday.
The Swiss led at half-time after Johan Manzambi’s brilliant run teed up Breel Embolo for a close-range finish inside the opening 10 minutes.
The lead secured, Switzerland shifted to a five-man midfield out of possession, snuffing out the space and challenging the Algerians to play through them, but struggled to break their opponents down.
Algeria’s best chance came in first-half stoppage time when Ibrahim Maza dragged a snap shot wide of the near post, one of few efforts on goal they managed in the game.
The Swiss struck again almost immediately after the break, attacking down the right before a half-hearted clearance from Rafik Belghali ended up at the feet of Dan Ndoye and the winger placed his shot beyond the dive of goalkeeper Luca Zidane.
Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez could have pulled a goal back moments later but he fired straight at a defender from a central position, summing up a frustrating evening for the Algerians.
Despite the sell-out crowd at BC Place, the last 15 minutes were played in virtual silence, only broken by cheers and then groans as Swiss substitute Fabian Rieder somehow contrived to miss with the goal at his mercy, scuffing his shot back across goal where a grateful Zidane was able to avert the danger.
Switzerland will now face either Colombia or Ghana in the round of 16. Those two sides play on Friday.
Algeria captain Mahrez announced that the game was his last for the national team.
“The goal was to progress, and I think it was a game that was within our reach. We conceded two goals on mistakes, and at this level, we pay dearly for that,” he said.
Asked if Thursday’s defeat would be his last match at the World Cup, the 35-year-old went one step further.
“It’s my last appearance even with the national team. It was my last game,” he said.
Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first World Cup knockout-stage goal of his career, Goncalo Ramos netted a stoppage-time header and Portugal got a last-second break on an offside call to beat Croatia 2-1 on Thursday and set up a last-16 clash with Spain.