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Substitutes Manzambi and Vargas Spark Switzerland's Comeback Win Over Bosnia-Herzegovina
๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ Poland /Sports

Substitutes Manzambi and Vargas Spark Switzerland's Comeback Win Over Bosnia-Herzegovina

From Rzeczpospolita · () Polish

Translated from Polish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Switzerland secured a 3-0 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina in a match that saw substitutes turn the tide after a slow start.
  • Johan Manzambi scored twice and assisted another goal, while Ruben Vargas added a second, after Switzerland had struggled to break down the Bosnian defense for 70 minutes.
  • The win improved morale after a disappointing draw with Qatar, though captain Granit Xhaka criticized the team's lack of cohesion in that earlier match.

Switzerland's victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina offered a much-needed morale boost, but the team's performance was far from convincing for much of the match. For 70 minutes, the Swiss struggled to find momentum, exchanging passes with a predictable, slow rhythm that failed to trouble the Bosnian defense. Despite their precise passing, their attacks lacked urgency, and shots on goal were infrequent and often off-target. Coach Murat Yakin appeared visibly concerned on the sidelines as his team failed to break the deadlock. His decision to bring on Djibril Sow, Ruben Vargas, and Johan Manzambi proved to be a turning point. Minutes after their introduction, Manzambi unleashed a powerful shot from ten meters out to score the opening goal. This substitution injected much-needed energy into the Swiss attack. The momentum shifted dramatically. Manzambi soon set up Breel Embolo, leading to a red card for Bosnia's Tarik Muharemoviฤ‡ after a foul just outside the penalty area. This effectively sealed the win for Switzerland. Vargas extended the lead, and Manzambi added his second goal, further demoralizing the Bosnian side. Although Edin Dลพeko's team managed a consolation goal, Switzerland sealed their victory with a penalty converted by captain Granit Xhaka in the final moments of the game. The match also saw Edin Dลพeko become the fourth outfield player to participate in a World Cup.

everyone ran around without order, and there is no need to try to be a hero at all costs. It is enough to do what the coach asks.

โ€” Granit XhakaThe Swiss captain's bitter assessment after the disappointing draw with Qatar.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.