Switzerland took a major step towards the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 with a commanding 4-1 victory over 10-man Bosnia and Herzegovina in Los Angeles, as second-half substitutes Johan Manzambi and Rubén Vargas inspired a late scoring spree.
Bosnia welcomed captain Edin Džeko back into the starting lineup after the veteran striker missed the draw against Canada, while teenage winger Kerim Alajbegović was handed a start.
However, Switzerland controlled possession from the outset and looked the more dangerous side.
Dan Ndoye threatened early, firing into the side netting after 10 minutes, before Remo Freuler narrowly missed the target with a long-range effort. Despite their dominance, Switzerland were unable to find a breakthrough before the interval.
The Swiss continued to press after the restart, with Ndoye coming closest when his acrobatic overhead kick was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.
The Bosnia shot-stopper was called into action again shortly after the hour mark, producing a smart save to deny Breel Embolo’s header.
Bosnia showed brief signs of life when Amar Dedić tested Gregor Kobel from distance, but the game turned decisively following a triple substitution by Switzerland manager Murat Yakin during the second-half cooling break.
One of the substitutes, Vargas, delivered a cross that Bosnia failed to clear, allowing Manzambi to volley home his first World Cup goal in the 75th minute.
The situation worsened for Bosnia six minutes later when Tarik Muharemović was sent off for bringing down Embolo as the striker raced clear on goal.
With the extra man advantage, Switzerland took complete control. Vargas doubled the lead in the 84th minute after being picked out by Embolo, calmly finishing beyond Vasilj.
The pair combined again shortly before full-time as Vargas supplied another assist for Manzambi to score his second goal of the night from close range.
Bosnia managed a consolation through Ermin Mahmić, who struck a superb volley in stoppage time for his first senior international goal.
However, Switzerland had the final say when Granit Xhaka converted a penalty after Amar Memić fouled Djibril Sow inside the area.
The victory moves Switzerland onto four points from two matches and leaves them on the brink of qualification ahead of their meeting with Canada.
Bosnia, meanwhile, must defeat Qatar in their final group game after seeing their nine-match unbeaten run come to an end.
