Canada threw itself a party at home and Switzerland strolled in to rearrange the furniture. Two goals in the first dozen minutes of the second half settled it.
Switzerland and Canada both advanced to the knockout round as well. But the co-hosts’ 2-1 defeat in Vancouver was a reminder that hosting a World Cup gets you a great crowd, not a free pass.
Here are my takeaways from Switzerland’s win over Canada:
Switzerland emerged as the winner of Group B. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Both teams arrived on four points, and both left with what they came for — sort of. Switzerland’s win lifts Murat Yakin’s side to seven points and first place in Group B, which should buy it the friendlier-looking half of the round of 32 bracket. Canada dropped to second. But here’s the part worth celebrating in Vancouver: Second place still means advancing.
For a nation that went home pointless and goalless in 1986 and again in 2022, this is uncharted territory — the first time Canada has ever escaped a World Cup group. Losing the group on the final day dents pride, not the standings. Qualification was effectively secured before kickoff, and Canada will take a knockout berth on home soil, however it arrived.
Here’s a fun exercise: name a Swiss superstar. Take your time. Switzerland just won Group B without a single player who the casual fan would cross a room to watch.
Captain Granit Xhaka is a 33-year-old metronome rebuilt at Sunderland. Defensive rock Manuel Akanji quietly anchors Inter Milan. Gregor Kobel keeps goals out of the net for Borussia Dortmund, and Breel Embolo leads the line for Rennes. All solid players at the club level, but not one is a household name — and that’s precisely why everyone keeps sleeping on them.
Murat Yakin’s side is organized, compact, ruthless in transition and lethal from set pieces — the footballing equivalent of the kid who always did the homework and stayed after class for extra help. Switzerland reached the quarterfinals at each of the last two Euros. Overlooked suits the squad just fine. It only means nobody enjoys drawing the team that quietly keeps advancing.
Canada’s Luc de Fougerolles passes the ball under pressure from Switzerland’s Breel Embolo. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
