DUBAI: Algeria have become the latest African nation to depart the 2026 World Cup after a 2-0 loss to Switzerland in Vancouver on Friday morning.
Algeria had never won a World Cup knockout match before, having lost on their only previous attempt to eventual champions Germany 2-1 in 2014, while the last time Switzerland had pulled off that feat was in 1938.
The winner would remain in Vancouver to face Ghana or Columbia in Vancouver on Tuesday, July 7.
Algeria started the brighter of the two teams, once again employing a high press with their fullbacks pushing forward at every opportunity.
After only six minutes Houssem Aouar miscued a fine opportunity when captain Riyad Mahrez had allowed Rafik Belghali’s cross to bypass him from the right.
