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June 18th, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles. Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, group stage.
June 18, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles. Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, group stage.
When Manzambi was substituted on in the 71st minute, few in the stands recognized the 20-year-old Freiburg midfielder.
Three minutes later, he scored with a volley.
He added another just before the final whistle.
4-1.
A kid from the end of the bench, on the pitch for just 19 minutes, scored a brace.
At 20 years and 247 days, he became the youngest substitute to score twice in World Cup history. The record had stood for 24 years, previously held by Paraguayan Nelson Cuevas, who scored twice as a substitute against Slovenia in 2002 at age 22. Manzambi beat it by nearly two years.
German legend Thomas Müller, serving as a pundit on MagentaTV that day, mentioned him in the post-match interview: "Manzambi is a good player. Bayern should take a look at him too."
A Bayern legend, essentially sending a resume on TV for a Freiburg kid.
Manzambi later told FIFA's official website that he was "living his childhood dream."
The official line was flawless. But everyone knew Freiburg's pond was too small for him now.
Four days earlier, in the opening match against Qatar, Switzerland dominated possession. Embolo scored from the penalty spot, and three points seemed secure.
In the 94th minute of stoppage time, Qatar's Boualem Khoukhi scored a header, leveling the match at 1-1.
Qatar earned their first-ever World Cup point. Switzerland's three points turned into one, sparking a wave of criticism back home that could have blown the roof off the FA headquarters.
Against Bosnia, coach Yakin dared not change the starting lineup.
After the opening match slip-up, his position was under pressure; he couldn't gamble on a kid. Manzambi sat obediently on the bench, behind Rieder, Embolo, and Ndoye.
He wasn't called upon until the 71st minute.
Then came those 19 minutes.
Three group stage matches, 129 minutes. Less than the equivalent of two full games.
3 goals and 1 assist. That's one goal contribution every 32 minutes on average.
Against Canada, Yakin finally gave him a start. In the second half, he and Ruben Vargas each scored within 12 minutes, securing a 2-1 victory and top spot in the group.
In the Round of 32 against Algeria, he dribbled past two defenders to set up Embolo, ensuring a 2-0 win for Switzerland.
It was the nation's first knockout-stage victory at a World Cup in 88 years. Their last such win was in 1938.
After the match, Embolo was frank in his interview: "That goal, 95% of it was John's."
Four matches, 3 goals and 2 assists.
At 20 years and 261 days, he became the youngest player to be involved in 5 goals at a World Cup since records began in 1966.
After the group stage, Newcastle were reportedly preparing a €55 million offer.
Freiburg set a price tag of €60 million, refusing to budge. Bayern watched, Arsenal inquired, and Manchester United were said to be on the list.
When Xhaka moved to Arsenal in 2016 for €45 million, it set the ceiling for Swiss players, a record that stood for nearly a decade.
Before Manzambi had even left, Freiburg had already raised their asking price to €60 million. The transfer saga continues to drag on, but the figure has already surpassed Xhaka's fee.
Less than 200 minutes of footage was enough for a mid-table Bundesliga club to dare set such a price.
Manzambi himself remained unflappable. Asked about Müller's mention and the big-club rumors, he replied only: "I'm still at Freiburg. I'm focused on the World Cup. I don't know anything else."
When he said he didn't know, Freiburg's sporting director's phone was probably already ringing off the hook.
July 7. Vancouver, BC Place. Switzerland vs. Colombia, Round of 16.
During the final training session before the match, Yakin organized a 5-a-side small-sided game. Low intensity, just a routine drill.
While running on the pitch, Manzambi's knee gave way, and he collapsed immediately.
There was no opponent nearby. No physical contact whatsoever.
A 5-a-side drill, no contact. His own knee gave out first.
The MRI results ruled out the worst-case scenario; no ligament tear. But he was virtually ruled out of the night's match.
During the same training session, Ruben Vargas and Djibril Sow also left early. All three were doubtful for the game.
Yakin was measured in his words to the media: "If they can't play, it will be a huge loss."
Tonight at 4 AM Beijing time, BC Place, Switzerland vs. Colombia.
Manzambi will not play.
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