Switzerland used a late burst from substitutes Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas to defeat 10-man Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 at the World Cup, a result that moved Murat Yakin’s side to the top of Group B and eased pressure after the earlier setback against Qatar.

The match stayed level and tense deep into the second half, but Manzambi’s brace, Vargas’ composed finish and a stoppage-time penalty from Granit Xhaka turned a tight contest into a clear Swiss victory, while Bosnia-Herzegovina finished with one player dismissed and remain third in the standings.

Manzambi needed less than three minutes to make an impact after coming on, seizing on a half-cleared cross from Vargas in the 74th minute and driving a fierce volley into the roof of the net, then later adding Switzerland’s fourth from close range after another precise low delivery from Vargas on the left.

Between those two strikes, Manzambi also produced the through ball that released Breel Embolo, forcing Tarik Muharemovic into a desperate last-player challenge that brought a straight red card, before Vargas curled a low shot beyond Nikola Vasilj on 84 minutes, with Bosnia-Herzegovina’s only response coming from Ermin Mahmic’s powerful long-range effort.

Before Switzerland’s late scoring run, Bosnia-Herzegovina tried to swing momentum after the second-half hydration break, when Amar Dedic surged forward down the right and struck a skidding effort that Gregor Kobel gathered, while Mahmic’s precise late strike briefly rewarded the travelling support despite the heavy final scoreline.

Earlier, Switzerland had found clear chances difficult, with Dan Ndoye hitting the side netting from a narrow angle and Remo Freuler repeating the outcome soon after, while Vasilj excelled once play resumed after half-time, first pushing away Ndoye’s overhead kick, then reacting sharply to stop Embolo’s header from a tight position.

The first period lacked attacking quality from both sides, with only seven attempts in total before the interval, a figure matched or bettered in most matches at this World Cup, and only Ghana v Panama and France v Senegal produced fewer efforts during the opening 45 minutes.

Yakin started with Switzerland’s oldest World Cup line-up, averaging 30 years and 97 days and ranking as the fourth-oldest XI at this tournament, yet the breakthrough arrived from younger options, with Manzambi’s introduction changing tempo in attack after Switzerland’s experienced core initially lacked fluency and penetration.

Data underlined Switzerland’s improvement after the break, as nine second-half attempts produced six efforts on target and three Opta-defined big chances, while the overall expected-goals figure of 1.94 after the interval contrasted sharply with the subdued first-half production that continued a trend from the earlier 1-1 draw with Qatar.

For Manzambi, the double against Bosnia-Herzegovina kept an impressive pattern, with four of five goals in 14 Switzerland appearances arriving as a substitute, and the forward becoming the 11th player to score twice off the bench in a World Cup match, and the youngest to do so at 20 years and 247 days.

Vargas also strengthened a claim for more minutes in the final Group B fixture against co-hosts Canada on 24 June, while Bosnia-Herzegovina, who next meet Qatar, stayed third after this defeat, with Xhaka’s late penalty, awarded when Amar Memic brought down Djibril Sow, ensuring Switzerland’s goal difference received an extra boost.

Switzerland’s mix of veteran starters and decisive young substitutes delivered control of Group B, with improved chance creation, sharper finishing and Manzambi’s record-setting contribution ensuring Yakin’s team recovered strongly from a flat first half, whereas Bosnia-Herzegovina face Qatar needing a response after losing both a player and the match late on.