Joker stings after 2 minutes
©IMAGO
With a hard-earned 4:1 (0:0) against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Switzerland has come a big step closer to the knockout phase of the 2026 World Cup. Only Johan Manzambi from SC Freiburg, who had recently been substituted, cracked the Bosnian defense in the 74th minute. Ex-Augsburg player Rubén Vargas (84th), who also came as a joker, Manzambi again (90th) and Granit Xhaka (90th + 8/foul penalty) scored the other Swiss goals.
Switzerland now goes into the final group game against co-hosts Canada with four points. Bosnia, who were outnumbered from the 80th minute onwards due to a red card for Tarik Muharemovic, are no longer in good hands with just one point from two games. Ermin Mahmic (90th + 3) scored the consolation goal.
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 fans in the ultra-modern Los Angeles Stadium.
“We’re trying to sort this out on the pitch and not in the stands or the spectator 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 FC Schalke 04 promotion hero reacted angrily. It was over after 62 minutes and Esmir Bajraktarevic from PSV Eindhoven came on to replace him. 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.
Amar Dedic then forced BVB keeper Gregor Kobel into a save in the 68th minute. After the second drinking break, Yakin responded with a triple substitution, bringing on Djibril Sow, Vargas and Manzambi. The Freiburg player had been on the pitch for less than three minutes when he took the lead. First he drove the ball into the penalty area himself and then stood just right to make the Swiss fans happy with a powerful shot from eleven meters.
As a result, Bosnia-Herzegovina weakened itself. Muharemovic tried to stop Embolo, who was running freely towards the goal – and could only help himself with an emergency brake. The red card was the right decision. A little later, Vargas removed all doubts about Switzerland’s victory with his goal, before three more goals were scored in an entertaining final phase.
