All five goals came in the final 30 minutes as Switzerland’s Group B clash in Los Angeles burst into life during a dramatic closing spell.
Published On 18 Jun 2026
Substitute Johan Manzambi scored twice after entering the match in the 71st minute, helping Switzerland come from behind to beat 10-man Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 and finish top of Group B at the World Cup.
Switzerland’s final three goals came after Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic was sent off in the 80th minute for bringing down Breel Embolo and denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity at the Los Angeles Stadium on Thursday.
The win leaves Switzerland in control of the group with one victory and one draw, despite being held to a surprise 1-1 result by Qatar in their opening match.
Qatar and Canada meet later Thursday in Vancouver, with the winner moving level on points with Switzerland, who are aiming to reach the knockout stage for a fourth consecutive World Cup.
Bosnia and Herzegovina substitute Ermin Mahmic scored with a powerful volley in second-half stoppage time, but his side remain on one point after a defeat that leaves their qualification hopes in serious doubt.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will need to be far more aggressive in their final group match against Qatar if they are to keep alive any chance of advancing, after offering little against a Swiss side that gradually asserted control.
All five goals Bosnia and Herzegovina have conceded in the tournament have come after the 70th minute, including the equaliser they allowed in their opening 1-1 draw with Canada.
For much of the match, their cautious approach appeared capable of frustrating Switzerland until coach Murat Yakin introduced Manzambi, who quickly changed the rhythm of the game.
Minutes after coming on, Manzambi helped trigger the decisive spell. Ruben Vargas broke away on the left and delivered an outswinging cross toward the back post.
Amar Memic attempted to clear the danger, but Manzambi reacted sharply to the second ball near the penalty spot and drove a fierce side volley beyond Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.
Bosnia’s hopes of salvaging a positive result effectively ended six minutes later when referee Joao Pinheiro sent off Muharemovic for a challenge from behind on Embolo.
Four minutes after the dismissal, Vargas scored after Embolo held the ball up near the penalty area and released his teammate, who finished into the bottom right corner.
Vargas also set up Manzambi’s second in the 90th minute, before Mahmic pulled one back for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Xhaka then sealed the result from the penalty spot seven minutes into second-half stoppage time.
