Granit Xhaka (1st R) of Switzerland scores from a penalty kick during a group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
LOS ANGELES, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Midfielder Johan Manzambi scored twice in the second half to help Switzerland beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 here on Thursday in their second FIFA World Cup Group B match, keeping the Swiss top of the group.
The deadlock was broken in the 74th minute when two Swiss substitutes combined, as 28-year-old forward Ruben Vargas crossed for 20-year-old midfielder Manzambi to volley a fierce first-time effort past Bosnia and Herzegovina goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj from the middle of the box.
Bosnia and Herzegovina was reduced to 10 men in the 80th minute when defender Tarik Muharemovic was caught out by Swiss forward Breel Embolo and brought down the striker just outside the box.
In the 84th minute, Vargas found the bottom-right corner with a crisp first-time finish in the box to give Switzerland a 2-0 lead. Manzambi was involved again, finding Embolo, who worked the ball toward Vargas.
Manzambi made it 3-0 in the 90th minute with a neat side-footed finish from Swiss captain Granit Xhaka's assist.
Bosnia and Herzegovina midfielder Ermin Mahmic, who had come off the bench just moments earlier, scored a consolation goal in the 93rd minute with a fierce shot from a corner. It was his first international goal.
However, Xhaka sealed the 4-1 win from the spot in the 97th minute.
Switzerland dominated much of the game, particularly in the second half. Murat Yakin's men passed crisply and quickly, keeping their opponents on the back foot.
The 40-year-old Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko started but was booked in the 61st minute and replaced by 21-year-old forward Esmir Bajraktarevic two minutes later.
In the first round of Group B, Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Switzerland was held 1-1 by Qatar. With Thursday's win, Switzerland leads the group, while Bosnia and Herzegovina sits bottom. ■
Dan Ndoye (1st L) of Switzerland shoots during a group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Nikola Vasilj, goalkeeper of Bosnia and Herzegovina, jumps to save a goal during a group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Amar Dedic (L) of Bosnia and Herzegovina competes during a group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Johan Manzambi (L) of Switzerland celebrates his goal during a group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Nikola Vasilj, goalkeeper of Bosnia and Herzegovina, jumps to save a goal during a group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Ermedin Demirovic (R) of Bosnia and Herzegovina jumps for a headball during a group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Nikola Vasilj, goalkeeper of Bosnia and Herzegovina, fails to save a goal of Switzerland during a group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Nikola Vasilj, goalkeeper of Bosnia and Herzegovina, fails to save a goal of Switzerland during a group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Amar Memic (L, front) of Bosnia and Herzegovina vies with Nico Elvedi (R, front) of Switzerland during a group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Dan Ndoye (front) of Switzerland jumps for a headball during a group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Members of Switzerland celebrate victory after a group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Nikola Vasilj, goalkeeper of Bosnia and Herzegovina, fails to save a goal of Switzerland during a group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Nikola Vasilj, goalkeeper of Bosnia and Herzegovina, jumps to save a goal during a group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Players of Bosnia and Herzegovina greet the audience during a group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
