Switzerland’s emerging 20-year-old talent, Johan Manzambi, has matched a rare record alongside German icon Thomas Mueller and French forward Kylian Mbappe following his goal in the team’s last group phase fixture against Canada in Vancouver on Wednesday.
With his strike in the 57th minute, Manzambi is the third under-21 of this century with four or more goal involvements in a single edition of FIFA World Cup, after Mbappe (four involvements in 2018) and German legend Mueller (eight involvements in the 2010 edition).
Data provided by OptaFranz confirms that the Swiss star has accumulated three goals and one assist over the course of the tournament so far.
Manzambi previously grabbed headlines as a top performer during Switzerland’s dominant 4-1 triumph over Bosnia and Herzegovina. As a second-half substitute during that match, the 20-year-old struck a blistering volley within two minutes of stepping onto the pitch in the 74th minute. He subsequently added a second goal in the 90th minute to secure a brace and walk away with the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
Switzerland beat Canada in a thriller to top the group
During Switzerland’s final group fixture, after a goalless first half, Ruben Vargas unlocked the Canadian defence just 60 seconds into the second period, converting a good passing move into a goal.
Before the home side could mount a recovery, Switzerland extended their lead in the 57th minute. Manzambi pounced on a loose ball and calmly drove a low shot past the goalkeeper, Maxime Crepeau.
The co-hosts fought back in the 76th minute when substitute Promise David made an instant impression, hitting a volley into the net to pull a goal back for Canada.
Canada threw numbers forward searching for an equaliser during extra time; however, Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made a crucial save to keep his team’s lead intact.
Despite falling short in the match, Canada booked a place in the Round of 32 for the first time in their footballing history as the group runners-up.
With the win finalised, Switzerland ended the group in the number one spot and booked their place in the Round of 32.
(With ANI inputs)
