Switzerland beats Bosnia‑Herzegovina to secure a spot in the World Cup last 32

Late substitutions by Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas sparked a 4‑1 victory over Bosnia‑Herzegovina, who were reduced to ten men, in a Los Angeles match on Thursday.

The win positioned the Swiss as strong contenders to finish among the top two teams in Group B and advance to the knockout stage.

Until the 72nd minute, the match at SoFi Stadium had been a low‑scoring stalemate. Coach Murat Yakin then introduced the two forwards, who immediately altered the game's dynamics.

Vargas crossed to Manzambi, who struck a volley on his first touch, followed by a pass that set up a second goal for Vargas.

During this period, Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic was sent off for a desperate sliding tackle on Breel Embolo, who was already on the verge of scoring.

Vargas then assisted another goal for 20‑year‑old Freiburg star Manzambi.

Ermin Mamhic managed a spectacular consolation from a corner, but a Granit Xhaka penalty in stoppage time sealed the Swiss rout.

Switzerland now lead Group B with four points, three ahead of the other teams, while Canada and Qatar play later that day.

Bosnia, in only its second World Cup, drew a large crowd of supporters. A sea of blue filled the stadium, overpowering the Swiss fans, except for one individual in a cow costume who rattled an oversized cowbell.

Early in the match, the Swiss dominated the exchanges. Veteran midfielders Xhaka and Remo Freuler drove attacks down the left flank to Dan Ndoye, but the crosses lacked precision and finishing quality.

Bosnia, starting deep, gradually gained momentum in the first half. Forty‑year‑old Edin Džeko created a significant chance in the 32nd minute, switching play across the six‑yard box to Benjamin Tahirović, who missed the far post.

Ndoye nearly gave Switzerland a dramatic lead after the break, delivering a bicycle‑kick from Xhaka’s cross to Nikola Vasilj, who failed to palm the ball over the bar.

Džeko, increasingly frustrated, received a booking for a challenge on Manuel Akanji and was substituted.

Yakin made three changes at the 72nd minute. Two minutes later, the new substitutes combined to put the Swiss ahead.

Vargas advanced up the left wing, his first cross rebounding to him, and on his second attempt, Amar Memić’s headed clearance fell to Manzambi, who volleyed home.

Muharemovic was dismissed in the 79th minute for a sliding tackle from behind on Embolo.

The scoreline then opened up. In the 84th minute, Manzambi, moving from the right, found Embolo who passed to an open Vargas, who slotted the ball in.

Six minutes later, Vargas cut back to Manzambi, who guided the ball past the goalkeeper.

Three minutes into stoppage time, Gregor Kobel delivered a corner to Bosnian substitute Mamhic, who rifled the shot home.

However, the Bosnian defense lost composure, and a desperate foul by Amar Memić gave Swiss captain Xhaka the opportunity to convert a penalty.

AFP

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