Young Swiss star Johan Manzambi continues to shine at FIFA World Cup - Toronto Star
Johan Manzambi, a young Swiss midfielder, continues to make a significant impact at the FIFA 2026 World Cup. His performance was central to Switzerland‘s 2-0 win over Algeria, securing their progression to the round of 16. The match, held at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, saw Manzambi praised by teammates and coach alike for his contributions.
In the 10th minute of the game, Manzambi assisted striker Breel Embolo‘s goal. He demonstrated speed and fluid movement, navigating past several Algerian defenders before delivering a pass that Embolo converted. Embolo, who plays for Ligue 1 club Rennes, attributed a significant portion of the goal to Manzambi’s play. Swiss coach Murat Yakin described the goal as a “lucky punch,” highlighting Manzambi’s ability to create crucial moments for the team.
Dan Ndoye scored Switzerland’s second goal in the 46th minute. Ndoye also commended Manzambi, stating that he is an “incredible player” who helps the team improve. Manzambi was substituted in the 70th minute by Noah Okafor, with Yakin noting the defensive effort required from him as the match progressed.
Manzambi’s tournament impact
Manzambi’s strong performances have been a consistent feature of Switzerland’s campaign. Earlier in the tournament, he scored two goals in a 4-1 victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina, becoming the youngest player to score two goals off the bench in the World Cup. He also made his mark at BC Place Stadium in the previous week, scoring a goal, providing an assist, and earning Man of the Match honours in Switzerland’s 2-1 win over Canada, which secured the top spot in Group B.
The midfielder, who plays for Bundesliga club SC Freiburg, has accumulated five goals in 15 international appearances. Swiss captain Granit Xhaka noted Manzambi’s continuous improvement, describing him as a “very, very good player” with significant hunger. Yakin also praised Manzambi’s versatility, stating he can be utilized in “every single position” and is a “precious player, a brilliant footballer.”
Manzambi’s international debut for Switzerland was in a 4-2 win against Mexico, and he scored his first senior international goal three days later in a 4-0 friendly win over the United States. He participated in all six of Switzerland’s World Cup qualifying games, scoring in both home and away matches against Sweden. Yakin emphasized Manzambi’s character and hard work, calling him a “very dangerous every attack, laser-sharp focused.”
Zeki Amdouni, a forward for Burnley, also featured in the closing minutes of Switzerland’s victory over Algeria. His appearance contributed to the side’s first World Cup knockout game win since 1938. Amdouni entered the match as a substitute for Embolo in the 83rd minute.
Looking ahead to the next stage
With their win against Algeria, Switzerland advances to the round of 16. The team will remain in Vancouver for their next match, where they are scheduled to face the winner of the Ghana–Colombia match on Tuesday. This marks Switzerland’s progression to the last 16 of the World Cup, a significant achievement for the team.
The victory against Algeria was Switzerland’s third consecutive win at a World Cup, and their first knockout match win in the tournament since 1938. Ndoye expressed the team’s ambition, stating, “Today we write one page of history. But we want more, and we work for more.”
Meanwhile, Jose Sa, a goalkeeper for Wolves, also progressed to the next round with Portugal after their 2-1 victory over Croatia. Portugal is set to play Spain on Monday at 20:00 BST.
The match between Switzerland and Algeria saw a crowd of 52,497 at BC Place Stadium.
Source: thestar.com
