Not the desired result, but a good showing nevertheless
A loss was not what any Canadian would’ve wanted today, especially given the position Canada had put themselves in to potentially clinch first in the group.
Still, the team can be proud of the fight they showed. Switzerland looked like they could cruise to victory going into the second hydration break, but Canada showed fantastic resilience to bring themselves to within one and push for an equalizer.
Canada actually led in a decent amount of stats, helped by the fact that they threw everything at the Swiss box to find an equalizer while the European visitors sat back to defend their lead.
Canada managed more shot attempts (6-13), more shots on target (4-7) and more touches in the opponents’ box (14-23). They also accumulated an expected goals total of 1.34, edging Switzerland’s 1.06.
Still, the final score reads 2-1 for Switzerland, and it stings given what could’ve been for Les Rouges.
Canada now gets three days of rest before their Round of 32 game in Los Angeles at noon PT on Sunday. That match will be contested against the runner-up in Group A.
South Korea is currently occupying that position, but that opponent could change to the Czech Republic or South Africa, given how tonight’s games go.
Canada will probably hope for a South African upset tonight, given they’re the lowest-ranked team in Group A. But that group has been so even that any team could be a challenge for the Canadians, especially away from home.