Xhaka's 'keep talking' gesture and two-goal Manzambi lift Switzerland past Bosnia after toxic start
Captain Granit Xhaka converted a late penalty and made a 'talk all you want' celebration after earlier criticism of his leadership, as Johan Manzambi's double inspired a 4-1 win that keeps Switzerland on course for the last 16.
A fraught build-up
Switzerland entered their second Group B match against Bosnia-Herzegovina under heavy strain. The opening 1-1 draw with Qatar had been labelled a disappointment, and public criticism from captain Granit Xhaka had dominated the days since. Murat Yakin, the coach, admitted to making the wrong substitutions and took the blame, while midfielder Remo Freuler acknowledged that the prospect of an early exit was suddenly real.
Maybe I need that a bit, those provocations, those opinions from the outside.
Reports in Swiss media had described Xhaka's behaviour as "toxic" and hinted at unrest inside the camp. No teammate had publicly addressed the allegations until Freuler said that players must be able to handle criticism. "Whoever can't do that is in the wrong place in football," he added.
Manzambi delivers after slow start
Johan Manzambi, the 20-year-old Freiburg forward, had been one of the substitutes criticised by Xhaka after the Qatar draw. Against Bosnia he was restored to the starting line-up and scored twice, earning the player of the match award. His first goal came early in the second half, and his second helped put the game beyond reach before Ruben Vargas added a third.
When he is ready, when his head is clear, he can help. He didn't do that in the first game, today he did.
Xhaka refused to let Manzambi take the late penalty, despite the chance of a hat-trick, saying the youngster's time would come. The captain himself stepped up and converted the spot-kick deep into added time, sealing a scoreline that looked more comfortable than much of the performance had been.
The 'keep talking' celebration
Xhaka's animated celebration after his penalty became the defining image of the night. He repeatedly opened and closed his hand in front of his mouth, a gesture widely interpreted as aimed at the Swiss media and critics who had questioned his influence. Afterwards he said the coverage had hurt him but that he saw delivering on the pitch as the only answer he could control.
I would be lying if I said it goes in here and out here. It hurts, because there are things I don't understand.
He conceded that he sometimes provokes reactions and acknowledged that some people cannot handle criticism. But he stressed that he always criticises himself first and that the only thing that matters is the backing of his teammates and coach.
A relieved camp looks ahead
Despite the tension, Switzerland's players celebrated together after every goal and at full time. Freuler emphasised that the mood remained good and that the group had responded to the Qatar disappointment. Yakin, having shouldered the blame for his substitutions, now has four points from two matches and a final group game against co-hosts Canada on Wednesday that will decide progression.
We will play for victory on Thursday and want the three points.
Bosnia's coach Sergej Barbarez had been bullish before kick-off, saying his team wanted to beat the bigger nations. Nikola Katic, the defender, called it disrespectful that Bosnia's play-off win over Italy had been dismissed as an Italian slip-up. But Switzerland's individual quality, embodied by Manzambi's sharpness and Xhaka's leadership, proved the difference in the SoFi Stadium.
