Canadians paint Vancouver red and white, but Switzerland secure World Cup group victory with 2-1 win

Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi have struck second-half goals for Switzerland as they beat Canada 2-1 to qualify for the knockout stage of the World Cup as Group B winners, with the tournament co-hosts also progressing as runners-up.

Switzerland, who finished the group stage on seven points, will remain in Vancouver for their last-32 tie, while Canada, who would have won the group with a draw, ended three points behind them and will head to Los Angeles for their next game.

On Wednesday, the two sides managed to create a total of three attempts on goal in an uneventful first half only notable for two yellow cards handed out to Swiss captain Granit Xhaka and Canada striker Cyle Larin after the pair clashed over a quick free kick for Switzerland.

The Swiss turned up the heat after the break, Vargas immediately firing them into the lead and 20-year-old Manzambi adding a well-taken second in the 57th minute, and though substitute Promise David made it 2-1 with his first touch after coming on, Canada were unable to find another goal as they suffered their first defeat of the tournament.

Ahead of the game, thousands of Canada supporters marched through Vancouver in high spirits to BC Place for their clash against Switzerland, singing and waving banners as they backed the World Cup co-hosts in their bid to reach the knockout rounds for the first time.

The sea of red and white demonstrated how the ice hockey-mad nation has embraced soccer wholeheartedly, with every match in Vancouver drawing a full house.

“Canada is a huge soccer nation. Soccer is the most participated in sport and it has been for the last 20 years. People know us as a hockey nation, but really a soccer nation,” Canada fan Mike Robson told Reuters news agency.