Switzerland — Algeria: The Obvious Score Hid Plenty

The score is 2 : 0, and at first glance that is the dullest line of the night. First in Group B finishes on 7 points, third sits on 4, both move into the Round of 32, and the earlier meeting on July 3 also ended 2 : 0. But from the touchline the familiar outline hides something sharper: one side has less of the ball, fewer passes, and still arranges the evening like a player who gives up space in chess to take the center where it matters.

Embolo Struck In The Tenth Minute

Expectation before kick-off leans toward control through possession, especially with Algeria finishing at 55 % and completing 476 passes. Instead Switzerland make the first important move almost immediately, B. Embolo scoring on 10 minutes, and suddenly all that circulation has to chase a match already tilted away from it.

What follows is not a blur of pressure but a cleaner distinction. Switzerland produce 2.56 xG to 0.73, land 5 shots on target to 2, and take 9 efforts from inside the box. Algeria see plenty of the ball, yet their best routes keep ending a square short; the board is busy without ever becoming dangerous enough.

Ndoye Doubled It After The Break

Then the restart arrives and with it the decisive second touch. D. Ndoye scores on 46 minutes, straight after half-time, which changes the feel down at pitch level because any thought of a long squeeze from Algeria now has to survive a two-goal climb against a back line that is not giving gifts.

That is why this result feels so exact rather than merely comfortable. Switzerland only hold 45 % possession and complete fewer passes, but they win where matches are actually decided: an xG gap of 1.83, four corners to two, no offsides at all, no yellow cards either. Algeria finish with a conversion rate of 0.00, and there is your comparison in full: one team owned more turns, the other owned the board and every meaningful square on it.