Switzerland vs Bosnia LIVE: Both sides look to take control of Group B in vital clash – UK Times

Southampton’s public relations department has had a torrid few weeks trying to clean up the internal idiocy of Spygate, but they’re about to get a rare windfall of goodwill from across the Atlantic. Over 3,000 miles west of St Mary’s, Saints have had an inadvertent hand in Canadian history.

Canada are on the board at the World Cup, for the first time ever. They went pointless in Qatar four years ago, just as they did during their World Cup bow at Mexico ‘86. Thanks to Cyle Larin’s late heroics in Toronto, this hoodoo on the biggest stage is over.

One-third of a substitute masterclass from manager Jesse Marsch, Larin came off the bench to cancel out Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first-half opener with a stunning half-volley, instinctively striking across the ball to send it swerving past Nikola Vasilj and into the side-netting. It was a goal fitting of its importance in this country’s footballing history.

Qatar scored a stoppage-time equaliser to snatch a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their World Cup Group B opener at Levi’s Stadium.

Breel Embolo’s first-half penalty looked to have been enough to see the Swiss start with a somewhat laboured win, but Miro Muheim headed into his own net, under pressure from Qatar captain Boualem Khoukhi, in injury time to secure the 2022 hosts a first point in the World Cup finals.

The Swiss had plenty of support in Santa Clara, but there appeared to be a number of empty seats as the teams walked out at the 69,000-capacity venue, home of the San Francisco 49ers.

The clash between Switzerland and Bosnia in Los Angeles kicks off at 8pm BST.

The match is available to watch in the UK on ITV 1 and ITV X, as well as STV and the STV Player.

Coverage on ITV starts at 7pm BST, an hour before kick-off

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Switzerland v Bosnia from the World Cup.

Group B is completely up for grabs after the first round of fixtures so this clash is crucial. Stick with us for full coverage