Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka was spotted sinking a bottle of Coca-Cola on Monday night, just minutes before they knocked world champions France out of the European Championship in a dramatic penalty shootout.
It was a round of 16 clash to remember at the National Arena in Bucharest. Vladimir Petkovic’s side took a shock lead in the 15th minute when Benfica striker Haris Seferovic netted a fine header past Hugo Lloris to make it 1-0 to the underdogs.
Switzerland continued to cause France problems in the final third but in the second half, they were rocked when a quickfire double from Karim Benzema and a wonder-strike from Paul Pogba made it 3-1. Although it wasn’t over just yet.
Siri, define art in its purest form
🖼 @PaulPogba #FRASUI | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/x8hhQ0Tnme
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 28, 2021
That man Seferovic gave his side hope in the 81st minute when he netted his second before the National Arena erupted when Dinamo Zagreb forward Mario Gavranovic scored a belter in the 89th minute to send the tie into extra-time.
WOW. #FRASUI | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/5r8X5PNJsO
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 28, 2021
The Swiss defended for their lives and after 120 minutes, the game went to a penalty shootout. So what did captain Granit Xhaka do? He drank a bottle of Coca-Cola, just moments before giving his teammates a rousing speech of a lifetime.
You don’t see this happen very often.
Xhaka strolls off after 120 minutes and grabs a Coke. See Ronaldo. Really elite players love the stuff
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 28, 2021
Someone explain to me why Xhaka was drinking Coke before extra time. I genuinely thought it’s not good for your joints 🤔 pic.twitter.com/pmIucxIth5
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) June 28, 2021
You’re telling me Xhaka played 120 minutes, and then proceeded to crush a Coke while motivating his teammates to bury France in PK’s?!?
What a legend. pic.twitter.com/JB0uPVQwQB
— Neb (@BenVonheeder) June 29, 2021
Xhaka at full time: “Ronaldo should’ve drank coke, now he would be in the Euro quarter finals”
😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/VaKEdrDaIM
— Madrid Fan (@cristiano_peak) June 28, 2021
Xhaka sinking a bottle of Coke before PK’s like a proper Sunday league player in a Euro round of 16 match 😂 #FRA #SUI pic.twitter.com/DaIiEKINCH
— Brady Reid (@BradyReid_) June 28, 2021
It was also a night to remember for Man of the Match winner Xhaka. He dominated in midfield areas, despite coming up against two of the world’s best midfielders in Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, and rallied his team to an unforgettable penalty shoot-out win in Bucharest.
A night he, and his teammates, will never forget.
Featured Image Credit: ITV