Switzerland sweep past Algeria into World Cup last 16

Switzerland’s Breel Embolo struck early and Dan Ndoye added a second after the break as they cruised to a 2-0 win over Algeria on Thursday and into the last 16 at the World Cup, where they will meet Colombia or Ghana back in Vancouver next week.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Switzerland’s Breel Embolo struck early and Dan Ndoye added a second after the break as they cruised to a 2-0 win over Algeria on Thursday and into the last 16 at the World Cup, where they will meet Colombia or Ghana back in Vancouver next week.

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The victory was Switzerland’s first in the knockout stage since 1938, and they will fancy their chances in the next round after a tactical masterclass orchestrated by coach Murat Yakin.

They shifted formations and laid traps for Algeria before hitting them with two sucker-punch goals that decided a contest short on excitement, but full of intrigue and nuance.