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 its second FIFA World Cup Group B match.
In the first round of Group B, Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Switzerland was held 1-1 by Qatar. The second round saw Switzerland win 4-1 and Canada beat Qatar 6-0, leaving Canada top of the group, followed by Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar.
The deadlock in the Switzerland-Bosnia and Herzegovina match 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.
Manzambi, who plays for German Bundesliga side Freiburg, helped fire his club to last month's Europa League final.
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin praised Manzambi's "football quality" at the post-match press conference, saying the young player is able to play in almost any position.
"Manzambi even surprise us as well as opponents with what he can do," Yakin added.
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.
"Honestly, it's incredible. It's the first brace of my entire career," Manzambi told reporters after the match.
"And to do it at the World Cup, especially after we didn't get off to the best start, it's a childhood dream come true," he noted.
In the 93rd minute, Bosnia and Herzegovina midfielder Ermin Mahmic, who had come off the bench just moments earlier, scored a consolation goal 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. ■
