The youngest substitute to ever score a World Cup brace
In short: Johan Manzambi didn't just enter the world stage; he rewrote the record books. By coming off the bench in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Swiss midfielder became the youngest substitute in history to score twice in a single match, shattering a long-standing record in the process.
Manzambi's meteoric rise is defined by a rapid ascent through the European football pyramid. Born in Geneva in 2005 to parents from Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he developed in the Servette academy before moving to SC Freiburg in 2023. His breakthrough came in 2024 when he was promoted to the first team, eventually becoming a mainstay for the Bundesliga side. By the 2025–26 season, he was a regular starter, recording 16 goal involvements and helping Freiburg reach the UEFA Europa League final. Before his senior debut in June 2025, he played for Switzerland at every age group, including under-18 and under-21 levels. The pinnacle of this journey arrived during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Manzambi netted two goals as a late sub against Bosnia and Herzegovina, setting a record for the youngest Swiss player to score a brace in a World Cup at 20 years and 247 days.
This feat also made him the youngest substitute ever to achieve such a feat, surpassing the previous record held by Nelson Cuevas. Beyond the brace, Manzambi's impact was statistically historic. At 20 years and 261 days old, he set a 60-year-old record by tallying five goal contributions—comprising two assists and three goals—during one World Cup. His performances earned him the Europa League Young Player of the Season award and a club-record transfer to Aston Villa in July 2026 for a fee of £59.5 million, including add-ons. Despite a knee injury ending his tournament early, his impact remains a benchmark for modern midfield dynamics.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Johan Manzambi
- Also: Wikidata — Johan Manzambi · CC0
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