2026 World Cup: Swiss substitutes break Bosnia and Herzegovina open
Switzerland finally have their first win of this World Cup. After a frustrating start against Qatar, the Nati saw off Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 on Thursday in Los Angeles. The scoreline looks comfortable, but it barely captures a game that stayed tight and tense for a long stretch.
For more than an hour, Murat Yakin’s side kept running into a disciplined Bosnia team backed by a lively crowd in the stands. Then the whole match shifted in the final 15 minutes.
Switzerland were short on ideas for far too long
Switzerland had the ball from the opening minutes, but did little with it. Dan Ndoye was their liveliest attacker, while Breel Embolo was often left isolated against a compact Bosnia defence. On the other side, the Dragons showed no real desire to turn it into an open contest. Edin Dzeko’s return to the starting XI brought experience, but Bosnia mainly looked to counter and never really put the Swiss back line under serious pressure.
It was starting to look like another flat night for Yakin’s players. Then the Swiss boss changed the shape of the game with a series of substitutions.
Johan Manzambi changed the game
Sent on with just under 20 minutes left, Johan Manzambi did not waste time making his mark. Three minutes after coming on, the Freiburg midfielder pounced in the box to open up a game that had been bogging down. The 20-year-old then had a hand in almost everything. He picked out Breel Embolo in the move that led to Tarik Muharemovic’s red card, before helping build the attack that ended with Ruben Vargas making it 2-0.
And as if that was not enough, Manzambi grabbed his second in the dying seconds of normal time. In between, Ermin Mahmic pulled one back for Bosnia before a Granit Xhaka penalty put the result beyond doubt.
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A new headline act for the Nati?
His appearance against Qatar had already hinted at what he can do. This time, Johan Manzambi delivered on a much bigger stage. The Freiburg youngster, who has broken through in the Bundesliga this season, enjoyed a night he is unlikely to forget in a hurry. His coach Murat Yakin was clearly thrilled afterwards. The Swiss manager likes his instinct and his ability to make things happen, even if he feels the player still has room to grow in a few areas.
That win puts Switzerland close to reaching the round of 16. As for Manzambi, he may have done more than just boost his case as a super sub with one group match still to play.
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Photo credit: Richard HEATHCOTE (GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA via AFP)
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