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\n Johan Manzambi #9 of Switzerland celebrates with Ricardo Rodriguez #13 after scoring the team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Los Angeles Stadium on June 18, 2026 in Inglewood, California. | AFP photo
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Swiss wunderkind Johan Manzambi on Thursday described coming off the bench at the World Cup to score twice in a 4-1 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina as a \u2018childhood dream come true.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Honestly, it’s incredible — it’s the first brace of my entire career,\u2019 a gleeful Manzambi told reporters after the game, which ended in a flurry of Switzerland goals.<\/p>\n
\u2018And to do it at the World Cup, especially after we didn’t get off to the best start? Honestly it’s a childhood dream come true,\u2019 he said, switching between French and German languages.<\/p>\n
Following Switzerland’s disappointing opening draw with Qatar, some Swiss pundits have been calling for coach Murat Yakin to play more young stars in a team dominated by veterans like Granit Xhaka and Ricardo Rodriguez.<\/p>\n
Twenty-year-old Manzambi plies his trade in the German league, firing Freiburg to last month’s Europa League final.<\/p>\n
Typically a box-to-box midfielder, the versatile young star was brought on by Yakin in the 72nd minute as a winger.<\/p>\n
\u2018He told me to let my talent shine, and I think I showed that today as best I could,\u2019 Manzambi said after.<\/p>\n
After just two minutes on the field, he volleyed in Switzerland’s opener from a loose clearance.<\/p>\n
\u2018Honestly, when the ball was in the air in the box, I didn’t see a clear option. But thank God, the ball went in,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
Manzambi also helped created Switzerland’s second before steering the team’s third past the Bosnian goalkeeper from fellow substitute Ruben Vargas’s cross.<\/p>\n
After the game Yakin paid tribute to a Manzambi’s \u2018many football qualities,\u2019 not least his ability to play in almost any position.<\/p>\n
\u2018He learned how to play on the streets. He needs to be more structured, but he is making headway with that,\u2019 said Yakin.<\/p>\n
While praising Manzambi’s ability to \u2018even surprise us as well as opponents with what he can do,\u2019 the coach defended his decision to start with the more experienced Fabian Rieder.<\/p>\n
\u2018Johan needs more time to know all the details, all the positions. He needs to be more disciplined,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
With the Swiss now almost certain of a place in the knockout rounds, on four points, teammate Silvan Widmer appeared to acknowledge that the clamor will likely grow for youngsters like Manzambi to play a bigger role.<\/p>\n
\u2018In football you need a mix of experience and young players who possess those skills,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
\u2018It was crucial for us to get those players on the pitch today — excellent players who can decide matches.\u2019<\/p>\n
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