Switzerland Close To Round Of 32 After 4-1 Win Over Bosnia

Manzambi, Vargas off bench to fire Switzerland past Bosnia

Red card to Tarik Muharemovic changed the game as Switzerland hammered Bosnia 4-1. Supersubs Vargas and Manzambi stole the show while Xhaka scored at 3 straight World Cups from the penalty spot.

Late goal flurry sends Switzerland top of Group Be at World Cup...

Late goals put Switzerland top of Group B. Supersubs Johan Manzambi and Rubén Vargas struck 3 times in the last 16 minutes, then a late penalty sealed a 4-1 win over 10-man Bosnia. The Swiss now control their path to the World Cup Round of 32.

Bosnia got a boost with Edin Dzeko back. The 40-year-old captain started in LA after missing Friday’s 1-1 draw with Canada. On the opposite flank, 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic made his start - he wasn’t even born when Dzeko debuted for Bosnia.

Bosnia had no outlet early on. Switzerland dominated and Dan Ndoye tested the side netting after 10 minutes. Remo Freuler then let fly from distance midway through the half, but his shot whistled just wide.

A draw suited neither team in the knockout race. Ndoye nearly changed that 11 minutes after the break. His overhead kick looked perfect, but Nikola Vasilj tipped it over the bar.

Vasilj stayed busy after the hour mark. He made another key save to deny Breel Embolo’s header at the near post. Dzeko then made way for Esmir Bajraktarevic, and Amar Dedic tested Gregor Kobel with a rare long-range shot for Bosnia.

Murat Yakin used the second-half water break to shake things up. Manzambi, Rubén Vargas and Djibril Sow came on for Ndoye, Fabian Rieder and Michel Aebischer. The triple sub paid off instantly - two of them hit the scoresheet.

The breakthrough came with 15 minutes left. Vargas whipped a cross to the back post that Bosnia couldn’t clear. Manzambi volleyed it home from 12 yards for his first-ever World Cup goal.

Bosnia had no outlet early on. Switzerland dominated and Dan Ndoye tested the side netting after 10 minutes. Remo Freuler then let fly from distance midway through the half, but his shot whistled just wide.

A draw suited neither team in the knockout race. Ndoye nearly changed that 11 minutes after the break. His overhead kick looked perfect, but Nikola Vasilj tipped it over the bar.

Bosnia’s night fell apart 6 minutes later. Tarik Muharemovic dragged down Embolo as he broke through, and referee Joao Pinheiro showed red. Down to 10 men, Bosnia were in trouble.

With Bosnia unable to respond, Vargas put the game to bed. Embolo set him up and he slotted home coolly for his first World Cup goal with 6 minutes left.

Vargas and Manzambi linked up again in the 90th minute. The latter finished from close range for his second. Ermin Mahmic then grabbed a late consolation with a stunning volley in stoppage time for his first senior goal.

Granit Xhaka had the final say. He smashed home a penalty after Amar Memic fouled Sow in the box. That made it 3 World Cups in a row with a goal for Xhaka, after he scored in 2014 and 2018.

The 4-1 win moves Switzerland to 4 points from 2 games. Their spot in the Round of 32 is basically locked up before Wednesday’s final group game vs Canada.

Bosnia’s 9-match unbeaten run is over, plus their run of 6 straight draws. Now it’s must-win vs Qatar next as they fight to stay alive in Group B.