Football World Cup
Late goal spectacle: Switzerland defeats Bosnia
Updated June 18, 2026 – 11:00 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
Switzerland is having a lot of trouble against Bosnia and Herzegovina. But late goals and a sending off bring salvation.
Switzerland took part in their second preliminary round game at the Football World Cup won a late victory. Thanks to three very late goals, the Swiss won against Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 (0-0) despite a lot of effort. Johan Manzambi only took the lead in the 74th minute. After a red card against Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic for an emergency stop (80th minute), Rubén Vargas (84th) and again Manzambi (90th) were able to increase the score. Ermin Mahmic scored the Bosnian consolation goal in the third minute of added time, before Granit Xhaka marked the final score with a penalty in the seventh minute of added time.
After the disappointing 1-1 draw against Qatar at the start of the preliminary round, Switzerland took a big step towards the knockout round under pressure. The Bosnians have to continue to tremble after their 1-1 draw at the start against Canada.
This is how the game went:
Switzerland lived up to their role as favorites, immediately took control of the game and quickly had their first chances, but Dan Ndoye lacked the precision in the finish to pose a real goal threat. Bosnia-Herzegovina had a clear acoustic advantage in the stands in front of 70,022 spectators in the ultra-modern Los Angeles Stadium.
“We’re trying to sort this out on the pitch and not in the stands or the stands,” Swiss coach Murat Yakin said before the game. On the field, Switzerland also had to deal with Edin Dzeko, who was in the starting line-up. The captain came on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw against Canada.
Both teams avoided taking any risks; the constellation in Group B, which was open in all directions, probably played a role. The Swiss were allowed to combine until around 30 meters from the goal, but then the defense around Schalke professional Nikola Katic consistently and successfully disrupted the game. Ndoye from Nottingham Forest was the only one who managed to get a shot in the penalty area; Remo Freuler’s attempt (23′) from distance was symbolic of the Swiss’ difficulties.
Dzeko had the first half chance for coach Sergej Barbarez’s team, but after 32 minutes he didn’t hit the ball properly in the penalty area. When he finished again in the 41st minute, but had to wait too long for the ball for his liking, the promotion hero reacted FC Schalke 04 upset. It was over after 62 minutes and Esmir Bajraktarevic came on for him PSV Eindhoven. Shortly before, Ndoye again had the most spectacular opportunity of the game, but his overhead kick in the 55th minute was cleared by St. Pauli goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj for a corner.