Switzerland moved closer to reaching the FIFA World Cup last 32 after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1, with substitutes Johan Manzambi and Rubén Vargas making a big impact late in the game.
Bosnia welcomed back captain Edin Džeko after he missed the opening match against Canada, while 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegović started on the left wing. However, Switzerland controlled most of the early play and created the better chances.
Dan Ndoye came close in the first half, while Remo Freuler also tested Bosnia from distance.
With a draw helping neither team, Switzerland pushed harder after the break. Ndoye almost scored with an overhead kick, but goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj made an excellent save. Soon after, he denied Breel Embolo with another important stop.
Swiss manager Murat Yakin then made three substitutions during the second-half drinks break, bringing on Manzambi, Vargas and Djibril Sow, and the changes transformed the match.
With 15 minutes left, Vargas delivered a cross that Bosnia failed to clear and Manzambi scored his first World Cup goal. Bosnia’s situation became even worse six minutes later when Tarik Muharemović was sent off after bringing down Embolo while through on goal.
Switzerland took full advantage. Vargas scored the second after being set up by Embolo, before Manzambi added another from close range. Bosnia pulled one back in stoppage time through Ermin Mahmić’s first senior international goal, but Granit Xhaka completed the scoring from the penalty spot after a foul on Sow.
The win moves Switzerland onto four points from two matches and leaves them in a strong position to reach the knockout stage before facing Canada next Wednesday.
Bosnia now face a must-win match against Qatar after their nine-match unbeaten run came to an end.
