If not for the net, Granit Xhaka's strike would still be travelling skywards.
A thunderbolt from Xhaka shortly after half-time in Switzerland's Group E clash with Serbia on Friday night inspired a dramatic comeback at the Kaliningrad Stadium.
The Swiss captain latched on to a spinning ball on the edge of the Serbian box and rocketed a technically perfect effort into the back of the net. Xhaka then wheeled away to celebrate arguably the best goal of his career and used a hand gesture to pay tribute to his Albanian ancestry.
The Arsenal midfielder put his hands together to recreate the symbol of the Albanian Eagle in a move which many viewers felt was controversial.
Xhaka was born in Serbia to Kosovan-Albanian parents and his brother, Taulant, represents the Albania national team.
https://twitter.com/honigstein/status/1010238860549378048
The 25-year-old has previously spoken to
The Guardian about his father's three and a half years as a political prisoner in Yugoslavia.
"As far as I know, his first few months in jail were OK," Xhaka said. "But then the beatings started."
https://twitter.com/faisalislam/status/1010240557732564992
Stoke City's Shaqiri scored a 90th-minute winner with a composed finish and, like Xhaka, he broke out the Albanian Eagle as his celebration.
https://twitter.com/dpatrikarakos/status/1010250496496623619
Shaqiri was also born to Kosovan-Albanian parents and has proudly displayed flags depicting his heritage before. He recently told the
Player's Tribune:
"In 2012, when we played against Albania, I put the flags of Switzerland, Albania and Kosovo on my boots, and some of the Swiss newspapers were saying all kinds of negative things about it. I was criticised for it, but it’s crazy to me that some people feel this way because it’s simply my identity.
"The great thing about Switzerland is that the country has been very welcoming to people who come from war and poverty who are looking for a good life."
https://twitter.com/MarioArul/status/1010264618529361920
Another aspect of Shaqiri's goal celebrations that drew a lot of comments were his physique as he ripped off his Swiss jersey:
The images got Twitter heaving...
https://twitter.com/MJ_Baumann/status/1010248251583262721
https://twitter.com/Shaun_32_/status/1010252606378258432
https://twitter.com/SoccerCleats101/status/1010248636729442306
https://twitter.com/LFCredboi/status/1010250813313245184
Shaqiri is set to leave Stoke City this summer and goals like that will definitely bump his price up.
