Switzerland's Late Surge Secures Crucial Win
Switzerland's World Cup 2026 campaign got off to a thrilling start as they stunned Bosnia-Herzegovina with a 4-1 victory in their Group B opener. Despite being goalless at halftime, the Swiss team made a stunning comeback in the second half, thanks to the heroics of substitute Johan Manzambi.
The match, played at the Los Angeles Stadium, saw Switzerland face a tough challenge from Bosnia-Herzegovina, who had a player sent off in the 80th minute. However, the Swiss team remained focused and took advantage of the extra man, scoring three goals in the final 17 minutes of the match.
Johan Manzambi, who was one of the BBC's 20 young players to watch before the tournament, stole the show with two goals in the 74th and 90th minutes. Ruben Vargas also netted a goal in the 84th minute, while Granit Xhaka sealed the win with a penalty in the 90th minute plus 7 seconds.
Coach Murat Yakin Hails Team's Resilience
Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin was thrilled with his team's performance and praised their resilience in the face of adversity. "Granit used his energy on the pitch, which is where we need it," he said. "He is very important, a leader on the pitch, very decisive in many attacking situations."
Yakin also credited the team's ability to adapt to the cooling breaks, which he said was a key factor in their victory. "The timing was very important. We restarted very well, we got really into the game after the first cooling break," he explained.
What's Next for Switzerland?
Switzerland will next face co-hosts Canada in Vancouver on Wednesday, in a crucial match that could determine their progress in the tournament. With their confidence boosted by their thrilling win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Swiss team will be looking to make a strong statement against their Canadian opponents.