Follow live reaction as Switzerland moved above Canada and into top spot in Group B.The Athletic Live TeamJune 25, 2026 at 11:45 AM EDTCanada qualified — but not as group winners. GettyResult: Switzerland 2-1 Canada The AthleticSwitzerland beat co-hosts Canada to snatch top spot in World Cup Group B from the co-hosts. After a dour opening half Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi struck in quick succession for Switzerland.Promise David did pull one back for Canada, but they were unable to score an equaliser and will face a more difficult Round of 32 opponent as a result.Switzerland will now face a third-place team in Vancouver, while Canada will travel to California to face the runners-up from Group A, currently projected to be South Korea. And where now for Switzerland? Getty ImagesBy winning the group, the Swiss take the spot in the knockout draw that Canada dearly wanted.It means they stay in Vancouver, where they will play their last-32 tie on July 2 against one of the teams who qualify from third place.What next for Canada Getty ImagesThe Canadians had hoped for the win or draw that would have won them their group and kept them in Vancouver for their first knockout game.Instead, they have to settled for second place, which will take them to Los Angeles for a last-32 fixture.They will face the runners-up in Group A, which appears likely to be South Korea, who sit second on three points with a game to play.The group also contains co-hosts Mexico, who lead it with six points, and Czech Republic and South Africa, who have a point each. Getty ImagesA word on Promise David. In February he ruptured a tendon in his hip while playing for Union Saint-Gilloise. A recovery from that injury is between six-to-seven months. But David had an accelerated recovery, making the World Cup roster for Canada. Now, David has a World Cup goal on his first touch no less. What a story and it will be fascinating how Jesse Marsch employs David in the round of 32.Historic times for Canada Getty ImagesIn 1986, Canada didn't score let alone win a match. In 2022, Canada also didn't record a result. So it is historic for Canada in 2026 to get to the knockout stage at the World Cup for the first time with a win and draw. It could've been more than four points, especially with the opportunity today to win Group B with at least a draw, but now they will play for keeps.Some more Swiss statistics Getty ImagesOur friends at Opta tell us Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas are the first pair of Swiss teammates to both score in back-to-back World Cup games since 1954, when Robert Ballamann and Josef Hügi both did so against Italy and Austria.Ricardo Rodriguez is the only player to feature in all 29 of Switzerland's major tournament games, at World Cups and European Championships since the 2014 World Cup.In that same period, the only outfielders with more games played across the two competitions are Antoine Griezmann (36), Harry Kane (31), Cristiano Ronaldo (30) and Olivier Giroud (30).Vargas quick off the mark Getty ImagesRuben Vargas took just 39 seconds of second-half action to open the scoring for Switzerland in Vancouver.That made it the earliest second-half goal at the World Cup since Daniel Agger's own goal for Denmark vs the Netherlands in 2010, 32 seconds after the restart.The Swiss have now scored seven goals at the 2026 World Cup, their joint-most in a single World Cup group stage after they also scored seven in 2014.They have only once scored more in a whole World Cup tournament, when they netted 11 in 1954.Manzambi joins an exclusive club Getty ImagesSwitzerland coach Murat Yakin's decision to start with Johan Manzambi was justified with the 20-year-old joining exalted company.He is now one of only three players this century with or more goal involvements at a World Cup tournament while aged under-21 (3 goals, 1 assist), after Kylian Mbappé in 2018 (4) and Thomas Müller in 2010 (8).Rubén Vargas has scored in consecutive appearances for Switzerland for just the second time, previously doing so in November 2023. His two goals in the 2026 World Cup are already more than he had in his first three major tournaments combined, having netted just once in 13 previous appearances at World Cups and European Championships. Lukas WeeseChristian and brothers Massimo and Stefano watched the game together at Canada Soccer House. The feeling after Canada’s loss? Bittersweet. “We played well enough at the end to get the tie,” Christian said. But Massimo with some nice perspective. “We are into the knockout stage. Would've liked to win Group B but we made history.”Bittersweet is a common emotion amongst fans who are still here at Canada Soccer House.Historic times for Canada Getty ImagesIn 1986, Canada didn't score let alone win a match. In 2022, Canada also didn't record a result. So it is historic for Canada in 2026 to get to the knockout stage at the World Cup for the first time with a win and draw. It could've been more than four points, especially with the opportunity today to win Group B with at least a draw, but now they will play for keeps.Jesse Marsch regrets not making half-time switch Getty ImagesSpeaking after the game to Fox, Canada head coach Jesse Marsch looked ahead to taking his side to Los Angeles in the last 32 but admitted his regret at not making a bold tactical change at half-time today.💬 “I was thinking about going to five in the back to really lock things down at half time.“And when we came out like that, then obviously I wished I had done that.“I think I should have done that.I'm disappointed that we weren't able to get a win or a draw today to keep us here.“I'm so thankful for the energy in the country and certainly in the stadium here today, but we're going to go to LA.“It's probably going to be an away crowd.“It'll be a little bit tougher, but we still want to electrify our country and play really well down there and go after it.“We're in the knockout phase, and now let's go for it.”A record for Canada Getty ImagesCanada will not care about the details. The co-hosts are into the last 32.But they qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup with just four points; the fewest by a home nation to qualify from the group stage since USA in 1994 (also 4).Switzerland punch above their weight again Getty ImagesSwitzerland have a really strong World Cup record for a nation of its size.Their progression as group winners means they have now qualified for the knock-outs in the last four World Cup tournaments.This is just the second time they have topped their group after doing so previously in 2006.A sea of red in Vancouver Getty ImagesNo doubting who the fans were rooting for today in Vancouver!They can be happy enough despite defeat today — although it does mean the last they will see of Canada for now as their team heads to the USA for the knock-outs.Canada heading south — to Los Angeles Getty ImagesCanada’s World Cup journey in Canada is over. It started at BMO Field in Toronto with Cyle Larin subbing on in the second half to score the equalizer against Bosnia and Herzegovina. That was Canada’s first ever point at a World Cup. Then a 6-0 beatdown of Qatar in Vancouver, Canada’s first ever World Cup win. But a loss today means Canada has to travel to Los Angeles on Sunday for the round of 32.What's really interesting about Johan Manzambi is that he doesn't play that role for Freiburg. He's a central midfielder who operates between the no.8 and no.6 positions and who sometimes pushes forward in support of more attacking players. I don’t think I've ever seen him play as an outright winger, though. He was very, very good today.Match dashboard The AthleticPlenty of chances for Canada today — not enough taken by the hosts.They will not mind too much after sealing second place in the group regardless.The final standings in Group B The AthleticHere's how Group B finished in the end — no luck for Qatar who finish bottom of their group for a second time in as many World Cup tournaments. Lukas WeeseThe near chances for Canada at the end there are going to sting. So many near opportunities to score. Notably Promise David and Alistair Johnston. The crowd at Canada Soccer House was ready to explode. Not to be.Canada finish secondFull time in Seattle! Bosnia seal the win and will book a first ever appearance in the round of 32.Canada finish second so it is not a total disaster of a day for them, albeit winning the group often opens up a better (more beatable) opponent in the next round.