SOCCER: Swiss wonderkid Manzambi dazzles in World Cup win

INGLEWOOD, California — Johan Manzambi said he hoped he had repaid the trust placed in him after coming off the bench to score twice in Switzerland’s 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group B of the World Cup on Thursday.

The 20-year-old midfielder entered late in the second half at Los Angeles Stadium and made an immediate impact, scoring twice to secure a win that lifted Swiss morale following a disappointing 1-1 draw with Qatar in their opening match.

“It’s incredible, it’s the first brace of my entire career,” Manzambi said. “And to do it at the World Cup, especially after we didn’t get off to the best start.”

Manzambi said he had limited options when his first goal came inside a crowded penalty area.

“Honestly, there wasn’t much space in the box,” he said. “I don’t think there were a thousand options, but — thank God — it came off.”

The Freiburg player said he entered the match focused on making an impact rather than feeling nerves on football’s biggest stage.

“I came on with the mindset of wanting to help my team and give everything I could,” he said. “The advice I received was purely tactical. (Swiss coach Murat Yakin) told me to let my talent shine, and I think I showed that.”

Yakin praised Manzambi’s versatility and unpredictability, saying the young player’s range of qualities provided Switzerland with another attacking option.

“Johan is just a very happy person with so many football qualities,” Yakin said. “He had a very good season with Freiburg. He is very versatile — in defense, midfield, on the flanks, as a striker.”

Yakin added that Manzambi still needs to develop more structure in his game but said Switzerland are willing to give him creative freedom.

“He put a lot of pressure on the opponent,” Yakin said. “He’s a player who can surprise us as well as the opponent.”

Yakin said Manzambi could yet earn a starting role.

“Maybe we can use Johan from the start,” he said. “We will see what happens in the future.”

Manzambi said having his family in attendance made the moment even more special and noted that the squad had responded well after a slow start to the tournament.

“The whole team has a really good feeling,” he said. “We know why we didn’t start so well, and we knew we had to do more.” -Reporting by Rory Carroll and Joe Brock in Inglewood, CaliforniaEditing by Christian Radnedge/Reuters