Switzerland moved to the top of the World Cup group with a 4-1 win over Bosnia Hersek on Thursday night, and Johan Manzambi was the name that carried the result over the line. The 74th-minute goal was his first in the World Cup, and it put him on the way to a two-goal night that turned a tight match into a clear finish.
The result matters now because Switzerland and Kanada both have four points in B Grubu, which leaves the group open and makes the next round of matches decisive. Switzerland need a win against Kanada to take the group, while Bosna Hersek and Katar meet in the other match on 24 Haziran.
For much of the game, Switzerland had the ball but could not break down Bosna Hersek's defense. That changed after Murat Yakin waited until the second water break and then made three substitutions, bringing in quicker players and changing the way the team attacked the space. He said the plan was to wait until halftime, then alter things when the opposition could not react immediately. In his view, the speed of the changes mattered as much as the changes themselves.
Ruben Vargas added a goal and an assist, while Granit Xhaka scored from the penalty spot in the 97th minute. Bosna Hersek were already a player down at 80 minutes, trailing 1-0 at the time, and the rest of the match tilted sharply toward Switzerland from there. Yakin said the team has learned to create room for Manzambi and that the youngster still needs to become more disciplined, even as he continues to improve. Manzambi called the night the best moment of his career so far and said Switzerland knew it had to stay patient after a slow start.
That leaves the group arithmetic simple but unforgiving. Switzerland sit first now, but the lead only holds if they beat Kanada on 24 Haziran. If they do not, the standings can still shift again, which is why this win was important and why the next match will decide whether Switzerland finish the job themselves.
