Switzerland overwhelm 10-man Bosnia-Herzegovina with late four-goal burst

LOS ANGELES: Switzerland scored four times in the closing stages to beat 10-man Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 on Thursday, strengthening their position in Group B and boosting their prospects of advancing to the World Cup knockout phase.

The Swiss had dominated much of a subdued contest at SoFi Stadium but were unable to find a breakthrough until coach Murat Yakin reshaped his attack in the 72nd minute. Two of his substitutes, Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas, changed the game almost immediately as Switzerland turned a goalless stalemate into a comfortable win.

Manzambi opened the scoring with his first touch after Bosnia failed to properly clear a Vargas delivery. The substitute then set up Vargas for Switzerland’s second after Tarik Muharemovic had been sent off for a sliding challenge from behind on Breel Embolo, who was through on goal. Vargas later provided another assist for 20-year-old Freiburg player Manzambi before Bosnian substitute Ermin Mamhic struck from a corner. Granit Xhaka wrapped up the result with a stoppage-time penalty.

The win moved Switzerland to the top of Group B on four points, three ahead of the other teams in the section, with Canada and Qatar due to play later on Thursday.

Swiss control before late breakthrough

Switzerland had the better of the opening exchanges, with experienced midfielders Xhaka and Remo Freuler directing attacks down the left side toward Dan Ndoye. However, the final ball and finishing lacked precision.

Bosnia-Herzegovina, appearing at only their second World Cup, gradually settled into the match after starting deep. Their supporters were out in large numbers, filling the stadium with blue and generating more noise than the Swiss contingent. Bosnia’s best opening of the first half came in the 32nd minute when 40-year-old Edin Dzeko picked out Benjamin Tahirovic across the face of goal, but Tahirovic was unable to make contact at the far post.

Switzerland came close after the interval when Ndoye attempted an overhead kick from a Xhaka cross, but goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj pushed the effort over the bar. Dzeko, who had become increasingly frustrated, was later booked after charging into Manuel Akanji and was subsequently substituted.

Substitutes turn the match

Yakin introduced three changes in the 72nd minute, and the impact was immediate. Two minutes later, Vargas drove forward down the left and, after his initial cross came back to him, sent in another ball that Amar Memic could only head into the path of Manzambi, who volleyed in.

Bosnia’s situation worsened in the 79th minute when Muharemovic was dismissed for bringing down Embolo from behind. Switzerland took full advantage. In the 84th minute, Manzambi worked the ball to Embolo, who then found the unmarked Vargas to finish. Six minutes later, Vargas cut the ball back for Manzambi to score his second of the evening.

Bosnia briefly responded in stoppage time when Gregor Kobel parried a corner to Mamhic, who fired home. But Switzerland restored their four-goal margin after Amar Memic conceded a penalty, allowing captain Xhaka to convert and complete the rout.