Super-substitutes Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas propelled Switzerland to a commanding 4-1 victory over 10-man Bosnia-Herzegovina with a late flurry of goals in Los Angeles on Thursday.
The result puts Switzerland in a strong position to advance to the knockout stage as one of the top two teams in Group B.
The match at SoFi Stadium had been a tepid stalemate, with Switzerland dominating possession but struggling to break through until coach Murat Yakin made a decisive triple substitution in the 72nd minute. The introduction of Manzambi and Vargas immediately changed the game’s tempo.
Switzerland’s breakthrough came moments later when a failed Bosnian clearance from a Vargas cross fell perfectly for Manzambi, who volleyed home with his first touch. Shortly after, Manzambi turned provider, setting up Vargas to double the lead. In between those goals, Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic was sent off for a desperate sliding challenge on Breel Embolo as the Swiss striker raced through on goal.
The onslaught continued as Vargas assisted Manzambi for his second goal, showcasing the impact of Switzerland’s young Freiburg star. Bosnia managed a consolation when substitute Ermin Mamhic rifled in a spectacular strike from a corner, but Granit Xhaka’s stoppage-time penalty sealed Switzerland’s emphatic win.
Switzerland now tops Group B with four points, three ahead of the chasing pack, with Canada and Qatar set to play later Thursday.
Despite their team’s struggles, Bosnian fans – attending only their nation’s second World Cup – turned out in force, creating a sea of blue inside the stadium and outshouting the Swiss supporters, save for one fan dressed as a cow who proudly rang his oversized cowbell.
Switzerland had the better of the early chances, with midfield generals Xhaka and Remo Freuler orchestrating attacks down the left for Dan Ndoye, though poor finishing let them down. Bosnia grew into the half, and veteran Edin Dzeko nearly set up Benjamin Tahirovic for an opener, but the chance went begging.
Ndoye almost broke the deadlock after halftime with an acrobatic bicycle kick from Xhaka’s cross, only for Bosnian goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj to tip it over. As frustration mounted, Dzeko was booked for a foul on Manuel Akanji and soon substituted. Yakin’s bold substitutions in the 72nd minute paid off quickly, as two of the new arrivals combined for the breakthrough.
The floodgates opened after Muharemovic’s red card. In the 84th minute, Manzambi found Embolo, who laid the ball off for Vargas to finish. Minutes later, Vargas set up Manzambi for his second. Bosnia pulled one back through Mamhic, but a late penalty from Xhaka capped an impressive Swiss display.
