Switzerland winger makes the difference against Canada

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP):

Johan Manzambi started a World Cup match for Switzerland for the first time, and he started the second half of that match by putting his team ahead by two goals.

The 20-year-old winger, who came off the bench in Switzerland's opening two matches of this year's tournament, set up Ruben Vargas with a cross for the opening goal in a 2-1 victory over Canada only seconds after the second half started. He then added his own goal 11 minutes later by slipping a shot past Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.

"We need players like this that are creative up front," Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji said. "He sees things that maybe others don't see or are not capable of doing, and we really need (that)."

With the victory yesterday, Switzerland won Group B and will stay in Vancouver for the round of 32 against one of the eight best third-place finishers.

The goals yesterday weren't Manzambi's first of this year's World Cup. He scored twice in the 4-1 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina as a substitute.

In the 74th minute against Bosnia, Manzambi volleyed in a ball from near the penalty spot to finally give his team the lead. He scored a second goal on a one-touch finish in the 90th.

That impressive performance must have made an impact on coach Murat Yakin, who gave Manzambi his first World Cup start against Canada in a match with major implications.

"Johan has been in amazing form, he is in top shape. I can use him in different positions," Yakin said. "In the No. 10 position he feels extremely comfortable because he has so many liberties and he sees the gaps. He's very strong on the finishes. It helps him personally, the way he works, and he's a very humble, very modest person."

Although still young, Manzambi has been making a mark on the game.

In his second match for Switzerland last June, Manzambi scored a goal and had an assist in a 4-0 victory over the United States.

At club level, he also had an impressive year, scoring five goals and adding four assists for Bundesliga club Freiburg. He helped the team reach this year's Europa League final, the closest the club has ever come to a continental trophy.

Now at the World Cup, the grandest stage in football, Manzambi's efforts helped Switzerland reach the knockout stage for a fourth consecutive time.

Group B

Teams MP W D L Pts GF GA GD

Switzerland 3      2 1  0  7  7 3 4

Canada 3 1 1 1 4 8 3 5

Bosnia  3 1 1 1 4 5 6 -1

Qatar 3 0 1 2 1 2 10 -8