Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina Player Ratings: Manzambi and Vargas Turn The Game On Its Head To Put The Swiss Top Of Group B

After a disappointing draw against Qatar, Switzerland came to the Los Angeles Stadium to face Bosnia & Herzegovina, who were also heading into this game after a stalemate with Canada in their World Cup opener.

With three points at stake, it was the Switzerland national football team who took control of the match in the initial minutes. They saw more of the ball and regulated the flow of play brilliantly. Bosnia & Herzegovina were happy to sit back and hit on the counter whenever they got the chance.

Switzerland's best chances in the first half fell to Dan Ndoye, who couldn't make much of the two chances he got in and around the Bosnia & Herzegovina penalty box. Granit Xhaka seemed to play with more freedom today, which helped the Swiss to create more chances.

However, the Bosnia & Herzegovina national football team centre-backs, Nikola Katic and Tarik Muharemovic, were rock solid and cleared every possible danger that was thrown at them. Breel Embolo was surprisingly slow as a number nine in this game.

Bosnia & Herzegovina's best chances came to Edin Dzeko, who was passed quite late as his shot was blocked just at the edge of the box. The Bosnian captain seemed to have been visibly frustrated with Alajbegovic for delaying the pass. He also set one up for Tahirovic, but the midfielder failed to make any contact with the ball.

The second half was unchanged, as Switzerland came all guns blazing, with Ndoye creating havoc on the left side but missing the final output by a mile. The Nottingham Forest forward was again involved in the action when his overhead kick was parried away nicely by Nikola Vasilj, but VAR declared Ndoye to be offside.

Michel Aebischer had a good chance with a header from a Remo Freuler cross, but his effort was well off-target. Bosnia grew frustrated as the game went by, as they committed several silly fouls in the middle of the park.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 75th minute, when substitutes Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi combined to create an opportunity in the box. Vargas' initial cross was blocked, but the ball fell nicely for him to have a go once again.

The cross was not headed away clearly by the Bosnian defence, which found its way to Manzambi, and the 20-year-old lashed a strong volley which went off Vasilj's palm, into the right top corner to give Switzerland the lead.

Things went from bad to worse for Bosnia & Herzegovina as Tarik Muharemovic was sent off in the 80th minute due to a foul on Breel Embolo, who was through on goal. Being the last man in defence, the referee had no choice but to dish out the red card, leaving Sergej Barbarez's side down to 10 men.

Ruben Vargas put more salt on the wound, as he side-footed Embolo's lay off beyond Vasilj, who was quite brilliant all game, to put the match beyond Bosnia & Herzegovina's reach. Manzambi found himself on the scoresheet once again, as Vargas turned provider this time to make it three for La Nati.

Substitute Ermin Mahmic volleyed home from within the 18-yard box to pull one back for Bosnia, but it was a little too late. A late challenge from Amar Memic on substitute Djibril Sow forced the referee to point to the spot. Granit Xhaka made no mistake to dispatch with ease to round off a fine performance from the Swiss.

Murat Yakin's men picked up an important win in their quest to achieve qualification to the Round of 32, while elimination looms large for Zmajevi.

Here are the Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina Player Ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Johan Manzambi became the third youngest player in the history of the World Cup to score a brace.
• Manuel Akanji and Michel Aebischer both won the most number of duels in this game (7).
• Tarik Muharemovic had the most defensive contributions in this match (14) but saw a heinous red card.

Switzerland National Football Team Player Ratings vs Bosnia & Herzegovina

Check out the Switzerland national football team player ratings from the Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina Player Ratings.

Bosnia & Herzegovina National Football Team Player Ratings vs Switzerland

Have a look at the Bosnia & Herzegovina national football team player ratings from the Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina Player Ratings.

Man of the Match

Johan Manzambi was the best player in this FIFA World Cup match.

Worst Performer

Tarik Muharemovic was the worst performer from Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina.