Switzerland progressed to the last 16 of the World Cup as they beat a below-par Algeria 2-0 in Vancouver. Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye were on target for Switzerland, who dominated throughout to set up a clash with Colombia or Ghana. Ramiz Zerrouki had an early penalty appeal waved away for Algeria and that was as good as it got for the African side as Switzerland went ahead after 10 minutes.
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Lionel Messi came off the bench to score yet again as Argentina made it three wins from three at the World Cup with a 3-1 victory over Jordan. Messi made it six goals in three games at this tournament, extending his own all-time World Cup record to 19 goals, with a low free-kick 10 minutes from time that ensured Argentina topped Group J with a perfect record. Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez had put the World Cup holders in control with first-half strikes, but Mousa Al Tamari pulled one back for Jordan, who at least exited the competition having scored in all three games of their debut World Cup.
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Two second-half goals from corners saw Algeria come from behind to beat Jordan 2-1 and keep their hopes of reaching the World Cup last 32 alive. Nadhir Benobuali and Amine Gouiri grabbed the decisive goals in Santa Clara after Nizar Al Rashdan’s opener for Jordan, setting up a clash with Austria to decide who finishes second behind Argentina in Group J.
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Lionel Messi equalled Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals with a hat-trick as Argentina began their title defence with a 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City. Messi’s second took him level with Brazil great Ronaldo on 15 goals across his six World Cup appearances. He was denied in a one-on-one by Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane and had a penalty appeal turned down before joining Germany’s Klose in a share of the record.
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Spain survived a real scare seeing off Switzerland 3-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw to reach the semi-finals of EURO 2020. A Denis Zakaria own goal gave Spain an early lead but the Swiss persevered and drew level through Xherdan Shaqiri. Their task was made more difficult following the dismissal of Remo Freuler and ultimately Spain held their nerve from the spot.
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