Switzerland beat Bosnia 4-1 on Thursday night after 75 scoreless minutes, then exploded with four goals in the closing stretch, including stoppage time. Johan Manzambi scored twice, Ruben Vargas added another, and the final goal came from the penalty spot.
That last goal belonged to captain Granit Xhaka, who celebrated with a “talking” gesture toward the crowd. The celebration was a direct response to recent criticism aimed at him in the Swiss media.
In the days before the match, several reports described Xhaka as a source of a “toxic atmosphere” in the national team dressing room. One report said that at the World Cup he was supposed to secure his legacy with Switzerland, but instead “he creates storms and makes people talk about him,” adding that “in the inner circle of the team there is even concern, as many fear the toxic direction he is taking them.”
Xhaka’s message after the penalty was clear, he was telling his critics that he is still there and still the captain, and that they can keep talking.
