Switzerland thrash 10-man Bosnia to close in on World Cup knockouts

Bosnia manager Sergej Barbaraz was able to call on captain Edin Džeko for the clash in Los Angeles after the 40-year-old striker missed last Friday’s 1-1 draw with co-hosts Canada, while 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegović - who was not even born when Džeko made his senior international debut - started on the left wing.

They had little to feed off in the early stages as Switzerland took control, with striker Dan Ndoye firing into the side netting after 10 minutes before Remo Freuler whistled a shot wide from long range midway through the half. 

A draw was not particularly useful to either side’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout phase, and Ndoye nearly broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion 11 minutes into the second half when his overhead kick was tipped over the crossbar by Nikola Vasilj.

The Bosnia goalkeeper made another important save just after the hour mark to prevent Breel Embolo’s header creeping inside the near post. Džeko was replaced by Esmir Bajraktarević moments later before Amar Dedić forced Gregor Kobel into a rare save with a shot from long range. 

Switzerland manager Yakin used the second-half hydration break to make a triple substitution, introducing Manzambi, Vargas and Djibril Sow. The changes worked a treat as two of them combined to a devastating effect.

First, Vargas sent a cross to the back post which Bosnia failed to clear, with Manzambi volleying home his first WC goal from 12 yards with a quarter-hour remaining.

It got worse for Bosnia six minutes later when Tarik Muharemović brought down Embolo as he raced through on goal, with referee João Pinheiro producing the red card.

Bosnia were powerless to respond, and Vargas sealed victory with his first WC goal when he was fed by Embolo and coolly slotted home six minutes from time.

Vargas and Manzambi combined again in the final minute of normal time as the latter converted from close range, before Ermin Mahmić scored his first senior international goal in emphatic fashion with a consolation volley in stoppage time. 

There was still time for Granit Xhaka to score at his third WC, having found the net at the 2014 and 2018 finals, when he slammed home a penalty after Amar Memić fouled Sow in the box.

Switzerland’s victory takes them to four points from two matches, with their place in the last 32 nearly assured ahead of their clash with Canada next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Bosnia take on Qatar in what is now a must-win game, having seen their nine-match unbeaten run - and streak of six successive draws - ended here.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Granit Xhaka (Switzerland)

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