The most boring group of the 2026 World Cup came to a close last night.

Switzerland took control of a relatively dull encounter in a very flat atmosphere to score twice in the second half and qualify for the Round of 32 as group winners. Canada’s defeat still means that they go through in second. 

Bosnia finished level on points with Canada, and will hope they can reach the last 32 as one of the best third-placed teams. Their win over Qatar will have done their chances no harm at all, even if Edin Dzeko wasn’t happy to be substituted during it. Qatar exit the competition.

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Switzerland 2 v 1 Canada 

Knowing a win for Switzerland would be enough to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition, you would hope they would have come out of the traps quickly in this one. 

However, both sides seemed to take the first half to get a feel for the game in an opening 45 minutes of few chances and a largely flat atmosphere. 

Granit Xhaka probably had the best chance to break the deadlock in the first half, but his effort inside the box was saved by Maxime Crepeau. Canada, for their part, looked largely toothless and leggy, with a particularly egregious 1v1 miss for Cyle Larin featuring. 

After the restart, it was all Switzerland, with Manzambi crossing for Vargas to finish in the 46th minute. And provider turned scorer in the 56th minute as Manzambi fed off Embolo’s hold up work to finish and put the game to bed. 

Or so they thought, as Canada edged back into the game via a Promise David goal in the 76th minute which threatened to ratchet up the tension in the closing stages. Ultimately, Canada couldn’t capitalise and will have to settle for 2nd in the group and surrendering home advantage for the Round of 32. 

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Bosnia v Qatar

Bosnia made a great case for their inclusion in the knockout stages with a convincing win over Qatar that leaves Bosnia well-placed in the third place standings, and sends Qatar home from the competition at the group stage for the second consecutive tournament. 

Rocking a very Scotland-looking blue and yellow kit, Bosnia smashed the game open in the 29th minute after a blistering strike from teenager Kerim Alajbegovic. He worked his way through the Qatar defence before unleashing a hefty drive past the hapless Qatari goalkeeper. 

Edin Dzeko, later substituted much to his dismay, almost ended up on the scoresheet for number two. His volleyed attempt hit a defender before it went in, and the goal was credited as an OG for Qatar. He then hit the post in what was a frustrating game for Bosnia’s record appearance maker and goalscorer. 

Qatar were not dead and buried, though, and captain Hassan Al-Haydos kept the game alive after converting a cross from Edmilson Jr. 

But Bosnia held on to their lead, and as the game opened up with Qatar chasing critical points, it was Ermin Mahmic who scored for the Bosnians after latching on to a loose ball in the box. 

They’ve probably done enough, but it’s a waiting game to see if this result will take them through to the knock-out stages. Meanwhile, we say goodbye to Qatar for the second time in succession at the group stage.

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Final table: