Johan Manzambi scored twice, including a 74th-minute volley, to help Switzerland to a 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday.
The opening 45 minutes of the Group B match were uneventful. In fact, via Squawka, it featured the second-lowest combined expected goals in a half of the 2026 World Cup. The 0.24 xG was only higher than the 0.11 that Ghana and Panama produced on Wednesday night.
Advertisement
World Cup schedule | Group schedule, results | Standings
It took nearly a half hour into the second half, but the goal dam finally broke.
Rubén Vargas‘ cross into the box was weakly cleared by Amar Memić. As the ball descended, Manzambi, who subbed in three minutes earlier, made his move and put himself into a position to volley it past goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.
Six minutes later, it got worse for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Tarik Muharemović‘s sliding tackle got all of Breel Embolo and none of the ball, resulting in a straight red card as he was the last defender on a goal-scoring opportunity.
Advertisement
Down to 10 men, Bosnia and Herzegovina was left to try and scratch out an equalizer, but the opportunities did not materialize. Switzerland did take advantage and four minutes after the sending off Rubén Vargas doubled the lead after he finished off a cross-box pass to make it 2-0.
Manzambi would get his brace in the 90th minute, while Granit Xhaka‘s penalty in second-half stoppage time counted as Switzerland’s fourth of the match. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Ermin Mahmić would spoil Gregor Kobel‘s clean sheet with a goal four minutes before Xhaka’s, but the result was convincing nonetheless.
Advertisement
The Swiss now lead Group B with four points as they head to hostile territory when they play Canada in their final group stage match in Vancouver. Bosnia and Herzegovina will take on Qatar in Seattle. Both matches are set for June 24 at 3 p.m. ET.
