Canada became the first nation to go unbeaten throughout the World Championship ©WCF

Canada became the first nation to remain unbeaten throughout the World Curling Federation (WCF) Men's World Championship after beating Sweden 4-2 in today's final in Edmonton.

The hosts had won all 11 of their round robin matches, before beating Sweden in the play-off to secure direct passage to the final.

Both teams would be reunited in the gold medal match after Sweden came through the semi-finals against Switzerland.

The match would prove a nervy affair, with the two nations deadlocked at 2-2 at the halfway mark of the contest at the Northlands Coliseum.

It would remain that way until the penultimate end, with three consecutive blanks increasing the tension further.

Canada's skip Brad Gushue would eventually make the breakthrough by scoring two in the ninth, before forcing Sweden to concede in the final end.

"What a game, Niklas Edin and his team played so well, it took everything we had to win tonight," said Gushue.

"We were able to control the hammer until the ninth end, when we got a good deuce and a couple of good shots in the last end.

"Whether we won today or not, this has been an incredible year but this is the icing, the candle and everything on the cake."

It is the 36th time Canada have won the title, while they have become the first country to win both the men's and women's title in the same year.

The Canadian women also went through their World Championships undefeated. 

Canada edged a closely fought final against Sweden ©WCF
Canada edged a closely fought final against Sweden ©WCF

Switzerland secured the bronze medal by defeating the United States.

The two teams had met in the play-off phase yesterday, where the Swiss team secured an 11-4 win to move into the semi-finals, before falling short to Sweden.

It would be a repeat result as Switzerland again beat their rivals to secure a podium spot, but it would prove a far closer contest.

The US earned a steal in the first end, but Switzerland hit back immediately by scoring two in the second.

At the halfway mark the US held a 3-2 lead, but the seventh end would prove pivotal as Swiss skip Peter De Cruz led his team to a crucial score of four to move into the lead.

Despite their best efforts, the American team would end up short by losing the contest 7-5.

Switzerland beat the United States in the bronze medal match ©WCF
Switzerland beat the United States in the bronze medal match ©WCF

"This feels really good," said De Cruz.

"We won the bronze three years ago, but that was Olympic year so people were saying 'two of the best teams weren’t there' but now we feel that we belong with the best.

"I think the field was pretty tough this year and it was an important tournament with Olympic qualification.

"We're very happy with how we performed, we're already happy with our Olympic qualification, but the medal is a plus."