Super sub Manzambi helps Switzerland close on knockout stages with thumping win

Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina. FIFA World Cup Group B.

>Match report from the 2026 World Cup Group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Los Angeles; Johan Manzambi hits two and Ruben Vargas and Granit Xhaka score one each as Murat Yakin's side take giant leap towards knockout stages

>Switzerland took a giant leap towards qualifying for the World Cup knockout stages with an emphatic 4-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Los Angeles.

>What had been an otherwise uneventful encounter for the first 73 minutes came to life when 20-year-old Johan Manzambi crashed in a volley just 166 seconds after his introduction, before Tarik Muharemovic was shown a straight red for catching Breel Embolo on the heel as the last man.

>Embolo then teed up another sub, Ruben Vargas, to hit a first-time shot past Nikola Vasilj to make it 2-0 and it was three with 90 minutes on the clock when Freiburg midfielder Manzambi coolly side-footed in his second.

>On just his third appearance for his country, Ermin Mahmic reduced the deficit when he beat Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel with the sweetest of volleys from just inside the box.

>But the three-goal cushion was restored with one of the final kicks of the game when Swiss captain Granit Xhaka rolled in from the spot after Djibril Sow had been brought down by Amar Memic.

>Aside from a flourish in the opening 20 minutes or so, Switzerland struggled with any sort of attacking cohesion for much of the game in LA. They had dominated the ball, but Bosnia-Herzegovina possessed a threat on the break. Change was needed.

>Murat Yakin's substitutes changed the game - and Johan Manzambi was the star. Just 166 seconds after his introduction, he lashed a volley high into the net to open the scoring, then he made it 3-0 on 90 minutes.

>But not only that, he had the most shots on target among Switzerland players, and ranked top for both the most opposition box take-ons (5) and dribbles (4). Only two Swiss players managed more than his five duels.

>Manzambi - named Europa League Young Player of the Season for his efforts in helping Freiburg to the final - has certainly given Yakin something to think about for when he names his team for Wednesday's final group game against Canada.

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