Switzerland beat Bosnia 4-1 on Thursday night after 75 scoreless minutes, then exploded with four goals in the final 20 minutes of the match, including stoppage time. Johan Manzambi scored twice, Ruben Vargas added another, and the last goal came from the penalty spot.
That final penalty was converted by Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka, who followed it with a “talking, talking” gesture toward the crowd. The celebration was widely read as a message to his critics, especially after recent reports about tension around him and claims that he has been creating a toxic atmosphere in the national-team dressing room.
Those reports said that, at the World Cup, Xhaka was supposed to secure his legacy with Switzerland, but instead he was stirring up controversy and making people talk about him. One account added that there is even concern inside the team, with many fearing the toxic direction he is taking them.
The celebration in the rout over Bosnia appeared to be Xhaka’s response: a reminder that he is still there, still the captain, and that the criticism will continue. The article frames the goal and gesture as the end of the story, at least for now, after Switzerland’s emphatic late surge.
