Leeds United star's painful World Cup wait finally over as nation achieve 88-year first
Two Leeds United players remain at the World Cup with most of the last-16 places decided.
Leeds United winger Noah Okafor got World Cup minutes at the fourth time of asking as Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 in their last-32 clash overnight.
Okafor’s participation in the tournament up until that victory had been non-existent, with the winger an unused substitute in all three of Switzerland’s group stage matches. Murat Yakin’s side drew 1-1 with Qatar before encouraging victories against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Jesse Marsch’s Canada.
With the likes of Ruben Vargas, Dan Ndoye and Johan Manzambi looking sharp, Okafor was made to wait for his chance but it finally came against Algeria. The Leeds man once again started on the bench but got 20 minutes under his belt - albeit the contest virtually over by that point.
One of Okafor’s positional rivals Manzambi was at the heart of Switzerland’s 10th-minute opener in Vancouver, producing some electric wing play before picking out Breel Embolo to finish. That early goal settled Switzerland who despite conceding a little more possession, rarely looked uncomfortable.
Nottingham Forest winger Ndoye then doubled Switzerland’s lead almost instantly after half-time, producing a nice finish beyond Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane - son of France legend Zinedine Zidane - from inside the box. Head coach Yakin then decided to make a couple of changes on 70 minutes.
Fabian Rieder replaced Ruben Vargas while Okafor was introduced for the impressive Manzambi at left-wing. The Leeds man didn’t have too much chance to make a real impact, given the nature of the game at that point, but did see a shot from inside the box blocked by an Algeria defender.
But he’ll have at least been happy to get on the pitch and play his part in a historic moment for Switzerland. Victory over Algeria was their first in the World Cup knockout stages since 1938.
Okafor and his teammates will now start to prepare for their last-16 tie, which will be against one of Colombia or Ghana who face off tonight. It’s unlikely the Leeds man breaks into Yakin’s starting-XI but he’ll hope for another decent opportunity from the bench.