Granit Xhaka and Switzerland had a remarkable performance against Argentina. And although they were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the World Cup, they were very close to a historic moment. Everything was ruined by the red card of Embolo, who had a yellow card and then received a second one for simulation.

Xhaka spoke after the match. The Albanian midfielder believes the referee killed the game with the decision in question, while Embolo did not understand why he was sent off.

How did you experience the red card?

It's hard to find the right words right after the game. It's very bitter for us. I think we played very well, I even had the feeling that we could have done even more. But, unfortunately, this is football. It was a very big decision, which completely changed the game. It hurts a lot.

The fact that this rule has only been implemented since this World Cup makes the situation even more bitter, doesn't it?

Rules are rules. We can't change them. But with this decision he killed the game. That's my opinion. I don't know what else the referee could have done, but don't kill the game.

Have you already spoken to Embolo?

He is very important to the team, both on and off the field. Of course, he was very disappointed and had tears in his eyes, because even he himself does not understand why he was sent off.

How was the atmosphere in the locker room?

Silence reigned in the locker room. Everyone was very disappointed. The fact that after a match against Argentina the atmosphere was like this says a lot about the mentality of this team.

Despite playing with one less player, Switzerland gave the world champions an even match.

To say "equal" is an understatement. I think after a match like this we deserve more praise. But we're used to this.

Especially in the second half, Switzerland was significantly better. Do you agree?

I think we started the game well. Of course we conceded a goal from a corner kick. But then it was just Switzerland on the field. They didn't create any more chances in the first half. In the second half it was our game. We took more risks and scored. We felt very good on the field. We had more energy, we had more confidence.

Switzerland was very close to writing another chapter in the history of Swiss football by qualifying for the semi-finals. How much does this hurt?

I think we can be proud of ourselves. Even if not everyone sees it that way, we played great football. We showed great character and an extraordinary mentality.

Does it hurt even more, since for some players this could have been the last World Cup?

Of course we have older players in the team. I will also be 34. But this World Cup showed that even 39-year-old players can play in such a tournament. We just have to keep working on ourselves, even when we return to our clubs. Then we will see what happens. But right now I don't think beyond tomorrow. Now let's go to our families and then enjoy the holidays.