Switzerland winger Johan Manzambi gets a World Cup start and makes the most of it against Canada

“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 on Wednesday, 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 on Wednesday 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 soccer, Manzambi's efforts helped Switzerland reach the knockout stage for a fourth consecutive time.

Ben Kule is a student in the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup