Johan Manzambi came off the bench to score twice and inspire Switzerland to a 4-1 victory over 10-man Bosnia and Herzegovina in their World Cup group match. The 20-year-old, who excelled despite Freiburg's Europa League final defeat last month, scored a superb volley just 166 seconds after entering the field as part of a triple substitution in the 73rd minute. His goal broke the deadlock in a sterile contest.
Manzambi's Impact
Until Manzambi's arrival, Switzerland had struggled to convert chances, adding to the 26 shots they mustered in their opening draw against Qatar. Breel Embolo's penalty had been their only goal. Manzambi brought poise and scored twice: first lashing Amar Memic's headed clearance past Nikola Vasilj, then adding a second understated but sumptuous goal. He also provided a feathery pass that released Embolo, leading to a red card for Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic. Rubén Vargas and Granit Xhaka, with the final kick, completed the scoring.
Bosnia's Consolation
Ermin Mahmic grabbed a consolation in stoppage time, thumping an unstoppable volley after a corner was half-cleared. Xhaka capped the scoring from the penalty spot after Memic tripped Djibril Sow. Manzambi was involved in the buildup to Switzerland's second goal, with Vargas scoring a low first-time strike.
"It's probably the best moment of my career so far," Manzambi said after being named player of the match. "We had to be patient but we're a good team and I think we showed that."
Game Context
The match was set up for Edin Dzeko, aged 40 and 63 days, to become the ninth-oldest player at a World Cup, but Bosnia's hopes now hinge on Wednesday's Group B game against Qatar. Switzerland face co-hosts Canada on the same day. A grey day in Los Angeles meant no searing temperatures, but the first-half hydration break gave Bosnia respite. Switzerland, particularly Dan Ndoye, had given Sergej Barbarez's side the runaround early on.
First Half
With 10 minutes of the first half remaining, Nikola Katic celebrated winning a goal-kick after staving off another Swiss attack. Moments earlier, Bosnia had their first sight of goal after Kerim Alajbegovic fed Dzeko inside the box. Dzeko crossed to the back post, where Benjamin Tahirovic missed the ball. Approaching the interval, Remo Freuler blocked Dzeko's first shot after a bright run by Alajbegovic.
Switzerland's struggles to apply the finishing touch likely weighed on their minds at half-time. Bosnia had drawn their past six matches, including two penalty shootout victories in playoffs against Wales and Italy to reach this stage. This was their first defeat since losing to Austria last September.
Second Half
The game continued in a similar theme, with promising attacks coming undone in the final action. Manuel Akanji pinged a ball from right to left, and Ndoye sent another tame shot at goal. Until Manzambi's arrival, Ndoye produced one of the game's best moments with an overhead kick, but Vasilj saved and Ndoye was flagged offside.
If Switzerland were going to score, Ndoye looked the most likely candidate. Amar Dedic earned a booking for tugging at Ndoye's shirt early in the second half. Dzeko was withdrawn soon after receiving a yellow card for catching Akanji late. Then it was over to Manzambi to finally ripple the net.
"He learned how to play on the streets," Switzerland's head coach Murat Yakin said of Manzambi. "He needs to be more structured, but he is making headway with that. He puts a lot of pressure on opponents, he can even surprise us as well as opponents with what he can do."
