Algeria were eliminated from the World Cup after a 2-0 Round of 32 defeat to Switzerland on Friday.
Consequently, Switzerland progressed from a knockout tie at the World Cup for the first time since 1938.
The Europeans progressed at the expense of Africans courtesy of goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye.
Bright start for the Foxes
The Desert Foxes almost grabbed the opening lead in the sixth minute through Houssem Aouar, but he failed to connect cleanly with Rafik Belghali’s cross.
The Swiss took the lead in actually what was their first real attack; Manzambi brilliantly skipped beyond Aïssa Mandi before he delivered for Embolo to steer home in the 10th minute.
Switzerland doubled their lead just a few seconds after the restart of the second half. Ramy Bensebaini’s pass to Rayan Ait-Nouri was cut out by Denis Zakaria, and his delivery was cleared only as far as Ndoye, who picked out the bottom-left corner from just inside the penalty area.
Zakaria played a crucial role in denying the Algerians a goal; with a vital block, he stopped Riyad Mahrez’s attempt before Belghali did the same to repel Fabian Rieder’s shot towards goal.
Who will Switzerland face next?
They will play either Colombia or Ghana in the Round of 16.
