Switzerland rewrite World Cup history books as substitutes make late impact

Fans packed into the sold-out Los Angeles Stadium didn't get much of a spectacle at the start of the match. The first half was uneventful, and the beginning of the second half didn't suggest that things would change. Everything seemed to be heading for a goalless draw.

But in the 71st minute, Swiss coach Murat Yakin responded to his team's performance with a triple substitution that completely changed the course of the game.

Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi came on, and just three minutes after their arrival, Switzerland opened the scoring, with the latter beating Nikola Vasilj in goal. 10 minutes later, Vargas added another goal. Both Swiss heroes were also involved in the third goal, as Manzambi scored again following an assist from Vargas.

Bosnia suffered another blow when Tarik Muharemovic was sent off in the 80th minute. In stoppage time, another substitute, Ermin Mahmic, managed to soften the horror ending with a stunning volley. However, after a foul by Amar Memic, Granit Xhaka restored Switzerland's three-goal lead from the penalty spot.

This was only the second time in World Cup history that substitutes scored four goals in a single match. The only previous instance was Hungary vs El Salvador at the 1982 World Cup, where substitutes scored five times, even though teams were only allowed two changes back then.

The goal spree also set another record. Never before at a World Cup have five goals been scored after the 70th minute. The same goes for Switzerland's four goals after the 74th minute - no other team has ever scored that many late in a match.

Both teams have just one group stage match left. Bosnia will face Qatar in a battle for advancing from the group, while Switzerland will take on hosts Canada to decide the group winner.

See all the stats from the match here