Switzerland 2–1 Canada: Vargas & Manzambi sink hosts at BC Place
Switzerland claimed top spot in Group B with a hard-fought 2–1 win over hosts Canada at a sold-out BC Place in Vancouver. The Swiss came from a cagey goalless first half to score twice in quick succession after the break, with Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi doing the damage before Promise David's late goal gave Canada brief hope.
Switzerland burst forward from the restart and Vargas broke the deadlock just 46 seconds into the second half, finishing at the far post from a Manzambi pass. The hosts barely had time to regroup before Manzambi doubled the lead on 57 minutes, sliding a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau whose handling drew criticism.
Canada rallied with a triple substitution and Promise David, introduced as a replacement, converted a Nathan-Dylan Saliba cross just 73 seconds after coming on to make it 2–1 on 75 minutes. The home side pressed for an equaliser — Johnston's late header and a stoppage-time effort from David were both denied — but Swiss keeper Gregor Kobel and a resolute defence held firm. Switzerland won Group B; Canada progressed as runners-up. Nathan-Dylan Saliba was named Player of the Match.
Key moments
- •Ruben Vargas opened the scoring just 46 seconds into the second half with a far-post finish
- •Johan Manzambi doubled Switzerland's lead on 57 minutes, Crépeau criticised for his handling
- •Promise David scored just 73 seconds after coming on as a substitute to pull Canada back to 2–1
- •Gregor Kobel made key late saves to preserve Switzerland's win and first place in Group B
- •Canada advanced as Group B runners-up despite the defeat; Nathan-Dylan Saliba named Player of the Match
Timeline
Match facts
- BC Place, Vancouver
- 52,479 attendance
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- Referee: Ramon Abatti Abel (Brazil)
Match report generated from publicly available sources. Facts are drawn from the sources below.