Vargas and Manzambi see Switzerland past Canada to top Group B
Second-half goals from Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi settled a tight contest in Vancouver, leaving the host nation to go through as Group B runners-up.
Jun 24, 2026
Switzerland claimed top spot in Group B with a 2-1 win over host nation Canada in Vancouver, a result that settled the section on a busy final matchday and carried both sides through to the World Cup’s round of 32.
Two goals in the opening quarter of an hour of the second half did the damage. Ruben Vargas struck almost straight from the restart, and Johan Manzambi added a second soon after to leave Canada chasing the game in front of their own supporters.
Swiss strike early after the break
The first half gave little away, but Switzerland needed only seconds of the second period to break the deadlock. Vargas got on the end of the move inside the first minute after the restart, finishing to put his side ahead and quieten a noisy home crowd.
The lead doubled before the hour. Manzambi, set up by Breel Embolo, swept Switzerland into a commanding position and extended a tournament that has seen the young midfielder repeatedly turn up with goals. He had already scored twice off the bench against Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier in the group.
Canada rally but fall short
Jesse Marsch’s side did not go quietly. Promise David pulled one back with around quarter of an hour left, handing the host nation a route back into the contest and a tense finish to chase. Canada pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages but could not force their way through a Swiss defence that has looked increasingly settled as the group has gone on.
Defeat means Canada finish second in Group B rather than first, a small dent in what has still been an encouraging home tournament. They had thrashed Qatar 6-0 in their previous outing and reached the final round in control of their own destiny, only for Switzerland’s quick double to flip the order at the top.
How Group B finished
Switzerland lead the group on seven points, with Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina both on four. Canada take second on goal difference, while Bosnia’s 3-1 win over Qatar on the same night lifted them into third and, for now, among the better-placed third-finishers who can still progress in the 48-team format. Qatar, who managed only a single point across their three matches, finished bottom and are out.
Winning the group should hand Switzerland a kinder route through the early knockout rounds. For Canada, a first home World Cup rolls on into the last 32, even if the manner of this defeat will give Marsch plenty to work on before the knockouts begin.