INGLEWOOD, CA — Maybe misplaced in of on Thursday, June 18 was refined message from Swiss star .
“They know why I did it,” Xhaka stated after the match.
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What Xhaka did was mimic a speaking movement together with his proper hand after changing a penalty kick in stoppage time. The purpose gave his Swiss aspect a decisive win and a probable spot within the ‘s knockout rounds.
Xhaka — the veteran midfielder and staff captain — had been a polarizing determine on the staff after a disappointing within the staff’s World Cup opener. He was following a pre-World Cup tune-up draw to and the tie with Qatar. Moreover, Xhaka was making a “poisonous” environment inside the staff.
Victory heals all wounds, so they are saying.
After the match in opposition to , Switzerland coach Murat Yakin addressed the week of controversy surrounding his star participant.
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“We speak frequently. It is essential to speak about what occurred within the media with him. He was attacked personally,” Yakin stated by the FIFA translator. “I talked possibly 10 minutes with him. He began to refocus on the coaching session. Yesterday, throughout coaching, you can see how blissful he was.
“Use that power on the pitch. I do not care about speak, I give attention to soccer. It is necessary he is a pacesetter on the pitch.”
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Images reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
US ahead #20 Folarin Balogun (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his staff’s third purpose through the 2026 World Cup Group D soccer match between USA and Paraguay on the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP through Getty Pictures)
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Images reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
US ahead #20 Folarin Balogun (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his staff’s third purpose through the 2026 World Cup Group D soccer match between USA and Paraguay on the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP through Getty Pictures)
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Images reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
Folarin Balogun #20 of the USA scores his staff’s third purpose through the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles.
(Richard Heathcote, Getty Pictures)
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Images reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
Cesar Samudio #12 of Panama fails to avoid wasting a shot from Giovanni Reyna #7 of the USA as he scores his staff’s fourth purpose through the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Pictures)
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Images reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
US midfielder #07 Giovanni Reyna (R) scores his staff’s fourth purpose through the 2026 World Cup Group D soccer match between USA and Paraguay on the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(VALERIE MACON, AFP through Getty Pictures)
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Images reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
US gamers rejoice the fourth purpose by midfielder #07 Giovanni Reyna through the 2026 World Cup Group D soccer match between USA and Paraguay on the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(VALERIE MACON, AFP through Getty Pictures)
Contributing: Jordan Mendoza