Canada Edged by Switzerland in the Second Half

By Daniel Feuerstein | Vancouver, BC | June 24th, 2026

The last group stage game for Canada saw them face a tough Switzerland side that was looking to top the group over the tri-hosts. At the start of the second half, it all came apart for Canada as the Swiss took advantage, snuck in a shot, and kept going. While Canada did pull one back, it wasn’t enough for the host nation to get that second goal to force a draw and remain at the top of Group B, as the Swiss got the victory and forced Canada out of their home to play in Los Angeles by a final score of two goals to one.

Canada falls asleep and gets scored on

As soon as the referee blow shis whistle to start the second half, Canada fell asleep as they allowed the Swiss to walk into their own end of the pitch and scored the first goal of the match. The ball was brought up the pitch along the far-side touchline; a long cross found Johan Manzambi, who quickly crossed to a wide-open Ruben Vargas. He faced the near post and smashed it inside that post in the 46th minute, and Canada was already behind the eight ball. The backline looked a bit lost and failed to mark Vargas as he had an easy path to the net.

Switzerland gets a second, squeaks through Crepeau

The Swiss smelled blood in the water and continued to make attacking runs to force the issue. They went back toward the far side of the pitch as a long ball was looped toward Breel Embolo, and he just got to it after the ball bounced over the Canadian defender. Then, two Canadian defenders surrounded Embolo as he held the ball, waiting for help. Manzambi came in as the trailer and received the pass. Took a couple of steps forward, blasted the ball on frame, Maxime Crepeau tried to make the save, but the ball just got by him, and a two-goal lead in the 57th minute.

Canada finally pulls one back after a substitution

Canada was looking for a spark, looking for something to get back into the match and fight back to get things evened out. It initially happened in the 75th minute when Jesse Marsch subbed in Promise David for Tajon Buchanan, right away it worked for Canada, as the ball was sent down the near side touchline to Nathan Saliba. When he got control of the ball, he crossed it to the far side of the Swiss area, and out of nowhere, it was Promise David that came running in, stuck out his right leg, and pulled one back in the 76th minute. Making an entrance and sparked Canada to push for that second goal.

Final moments for Canada, but couldn’t get that equalizer

That goal from Promise David sparked Canada, and they pushed hard to get back into the match. All they needed was one more goal to level the match and share the points. The hope was to remain in Vancouver for the Round of 32 and Round of 16. They had several strong attacking runs and took a few corners to force the Swiss to make a mistake inside their area near the net. Promise David had a chance to get his second, but his flick header wasn’t strong enough to get it past the keeper. Even with five minutes of second-half stoppage time posted, Canada just couldn’t get that second goal, and now will play their first-ever knockout stage match down in Los Angeles instead of BC Place.

Canada failed to get the win or the draw as they fell to Switzerland in their final Group B match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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