* Translated by AI

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'Substitution card a huge success': Switzerland, with 'Johan Djourou's multi-goal explosion,' crushes Bosnia-Herzegovina, who fielded 10 players, 4-1... Takes top spot in Group B

Updated:

Park Jaeho

*This content was translated by AI.

Johan Djourou (second from left) celebrates after scoring the opening goal. /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
Johan Djourou (second from left) celebrates after scoring the opening goal. /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
Granit Xhaka (right). /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
Granit Xhaka (right). /AFPBBNews=NEWS1

Switzerland, powered by Johan Djourou's multi-goal performance, defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina to take the top spot in the group.

On the 19th (Korean time), at 4 a.m., Switzerland secured a 4-1 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the second match of Group B of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage, held at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, USA.

After drawing with Qatar in the first match, Switzerland moved to the top of the group with one win and one draw (4 points). Bosnia, which had drawn with host nation Canada in their opening match, fell to third place with one draw and one loss (1 point) after losing to Switzerland.

Switzerland fielded high-profile players, including Deni Džeko (Nottingham Forest) in attack, Granit Xhaka (Sunderland) in midfield, and Manuel Akanji (Inter Milan) in defense. Bosnia was led in attack by Edin Džeko (Schalke 04), who previously played for Manchester City and AS Roma.

From the start of the match, Switzerland dominated possession and controlled the attack. Xhaka's first shot in the 8th minute was followed by a shot from Deni Džeko in the 10th minute, which struck the outside of the goal net after cutting inside from the left side of the penalty box.

Switzerland's one-sided flow continued. By the middle of the first half, the possession gap had reached as much as 75-25. However, they failed to create decisive shooting opportunities leading to the final third. In the 20th minute, Džeko and in the 23rd minute, Remo Freuler took long-range shots to pressure Bosnia.

Bosnia, initially struggling, briefly gained momentum late in the first half and launched attacks, but no goals were scored. The first half ended 0-0.

Granit Xhaka. /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
Granit Xhaka. /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
Manuel Akanji (center). /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
Manuel Akanji (center). /AFPBBNews=NEWS1

The second half began with a similar pattern to the first. Džeko attempted several shots from the front line, but all came to nothing. In the 11th minute of the second half, Džeo connected a high-difficulty overhead kick to a ball that had come into the penalty area, but the goalkeeper made a save.

As the second half progressed, Bosnia also counterattacked. In the 23rd minute, the goalkeeper barely deflected a long-range shot from Amar Dedić aimed diagonally.

Switzerland finally broke the deadlock. In the 29th minute, during a Swiss counterattack, a defender headed the ball away, and substitute Johan Djourou struck it powerfully from the center of the box, sending it into the net.

Switzerland also gained a numerical advantage in the 35th minute when opposing defender Tariq Muharemović was sent off. In the 35th minute, Muharemović committed a back-tackle on Breel Embolo, who was breaking into the penalty box, and the referee immediately showed a red card.

Switzerland scored another goal. Another substitute netted, confirming that Switzerland's substitution strategy was completely successful. In the 39th minute, a teammate passed the ball from the left side of the box, and Ruben Vargas connected with a non-stop shot to send it into the net.

In the 45th minute, Djourou scored his second goal of the match, sealing the victory for Switzerland. Bosnia avoided a defeat with a long-range wonder goal by Ermin Mahmutović in stoppage time. Switzerland then widened the gap with a penalty kick goal from Xhaka. The match concluded with a 4-1 victory for Switzerland.

Edin Džeko (left) battles for the ball. /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
Edin Džeko (left) battles for the ball. /AFPBBNews=NEWS1

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*This content was translated by AI.

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