How Switzerland’s in-form attacking duo schooled World Cup co-hosts Canada | OneFootball

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Switzerland overcame Canada 2-1 in Vancouver to leapfrog the co-hosts and seal their spot at the top of Group B, courtesy of the quality on show from their in-form attacking duo.

Strikers Breel Embolo and Johan Manzambi both shone as Switzerland finished top of Group B to qualify for the round of 32 in a sixth consecutive finals appearance, both players harnessing the compatibility of their contrasdting attributes.

Murat Yaskin’s side eventually reaped the rewards through Rubén Vargas’ opening goal moments after the start of the second half, and Manzambi gave his side daylight with his third goal of the World Cup.

Canada halved the deficit through substitute Promise David with 76 minutes played and pushed hard for an equaliser to set up a nervous finish, despite the co-hosts finishing second and still qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time in their history.

Nonetheless, Switzerland’s approach was conducive to emerging victorious, with deeper midfielders progressing play and providing the most effective service to those leading the line, as they now enter the Round of 32.

Embolo and Manzambi’s compatibility and quality makes difference

After a cautious and lacklustre first half display by Yakin’s men, Embolo was clearly profiting from pinning back the Canadian centre-backs, serving as the focal point for his teammates to utilise.

In Switzerland’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, with their four-goal rampage coming in the final 20 minutes, Embolo’s stature and capacity to bring others into play was contained by the diligent opposing defenders.

But Canada’s Derek Corneilus and Luc De Fougerolles struggled to stamp their authority in the duels with him and they were caught out of position in key moments with Switzerland trying to advance upfield.

Canada’s press creeped much higher than Bosnia’s, so Manzambi could operate as the ideal foil to Embolo, carrying the ball more often with versatility and pushing Jesse Marsch’s team towards their own goal.

The best chance of the first half was fashioned by Switzerland when left-back and veteran Ricardo Rodriguez spotted Embolo in space and through on goal.

The Rennes striker, who scored a penalty in Switzerland’s opening 1-1 draw with Qatar, spurned the opportunity after 10 minutes, firing his shot into the sprawling Maxime Crépeau rather than slotting to the side of the goalkeeper.

Manzambi was also lurking for the rebound, but Corneslius was alert to the danger to block the 20-year-old Freiburg forward from finding the breakthrough.

Without anything to show for their patient work, Switzerland’s approach needed to be tinkered to find the all-important goal that ensured they leapfrogged Canada and secured the top spot with three points.

They came out for the second half flying out the traps and Manzambi’s arcing run down the right flank stretched the defence and the 20-year-old, who became the youngest substitute to ever score a World Cup brace during his cameo against Bosnia, sent in a threatening delivery.

Vargas was unmarked on the far side and smashed his effort low and hard to add to his stellar substitute appearance against Bosnia when he scored and assisted.

Switzerland elected to go long to double the advantage with Embolo pouncing on the costly indecision hurting Canada’s back line.

He offloaded his pass to the onrushing Manzambi, who doubled the advantage after once again being on hand to support Embolo’s hold-up play, albeit Crépeau’s attempted save left a lot to be desired.

Yakin could extract the best from his attacking duo due to the other part of his successful plan, consisting of Switzerland’s build-up orchestrated by two deeper midfielders.

Xhaka and Freuler instrumental in another Swiss triumph

Marsch’s men on home soil were eager to gain territory and decided to set up relatively high to disrupt Switzerland’s comfortable passing patterns.

The man in the opposite dugout had the appropriate plan in-possession to outwit the Canadians, with his captain Granit Xhaka at the heart of that.

The Sunderland lynchpin and leader holds the record for the most caps won for his national team, and dictated proceedings as a deep-lying midfielder in Switzerland’s progression upfield.

He was repeatedly drifting into spaces for the back four to pass into him, and Xhaka would turn to thread line breaking passes through or feed the ball out wide with efficiency.

When Canada retreated more, the other sides of his passing skillset were evident, and he will certainly be instrumental for his nation again heading into the knockout phase.

Fellow experienced midfielder Remo Freuler rotated positions with Xhaka when necessary and dropped in to initiate this progression. The understanding between this duo in the match emanated confidence and allowed Switzerland’s possession and retention to also flourish.

The real test will be what they offer against the bigger hitters at this World Cup should they venture into the latter stages, attempting to arrive to the last 16 for the fourth successive time.

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