By Pearl Josephine Nazare
VANCOUVER, June 24 (Reuters) - Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi struck second-half goals for Switzerland as they beat Canada 2-1 on Wednesday 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.
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.
Although there was little quality on display from either side in a subdued first half, the Swiss came out firing after the break. Just a minute into the second period, 20-year-old attacker Manzambi shifted the ball to Vargas, who had plenty of space to set himself before coolly finishing at the near post.
EMPHATIC FINISH
Switzerland doubled their lead 11 minutes later. Breel Embolo held the ball up in the middle of the penalty area and laid it off for Manzambi who finished emphatically.
Canada pulled one back in the 76th minute after coach Jesse Marsch rang the changes. Substitute Promise David latched on to Nathan Saliba's pass and guided a fine effort into the corner with his first touch after coming on, lifting the roof at BC Place.
Canadian fans continued to roar on their team, chanting "Let's go Canada", but Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made a string of saves in a frantic finale.
The match presented a stern test for Canada, who had drawn 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in their opener before thrashing nine-man Qatar 6-0. They faced a well-drilled Swiss side featuring the likes of Xhaka and Manuel Akanji, operating as a cohesive, hard-working unit.
In a packed BC Place, awash with Canadian red, midfielder Ismael Kone, who suffered a broken leg during the win over Qatar, was present in the dugout to support his team. Fans held up posters bearing his number eight in a show of solidarity in the eighth minute.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was also in attendance.
(Reporting by Philip O'Connor and Pearl Josephine Nazare in Vancouver, editing by Ed Osmond)
