Switzerland booked its place in the FIFA World Cup round of 16 after securing a comfortable 2-0 victory over Algeria on Thursday.

Goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye ensured the Swiss progressed to the knockout stage, where they will face the winner of Friday's match between Colombia and Ghana. That fixture is scheduled for next Tuesday in Vancouver.

The victory gives Switzerland another opportunity to chase its first World Cup knockout win in decades. The team has reached the round of 16 at each of the previous three tournaments but failed to advance further. Switzerland's last victory in a World Cup knockout match came in 1938, although it also won a playoff during the 1954 tournament to reach the quarterfinals.

Algeria's campaign came to an end in its first World Cup appearance since 2014. In that tournament, the North African side reached the knockout stage before losing to eventual champion Germany.

Algeria started brightly and controlled possession during the opening minutes, but Switzerland struck first through Embolo. Johan Manzambi broke forward on the right wing and delivered a cross that Embolo converted from close range. The goal marked the striker's 26th for the national team.

Switzerland doubled its advantage shortly after halftime. Less than a minute into the second half, Dan Ndoye fired a powerful shot from outside the penalty area that beat goalkeeper Luca Zidane despite his full-length dive.

The Swiss nearly extended their lead late in the match when Fabian Rieder found himself with a chance in the 81st minute, but his close-range effort went wide after the ball rolled across the face of goal. With the victory, Switzerland moves into the last 16, while Algeria exits the tournament after a determined but ultimately unsuccessful return to the World Cup stage.