Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri could face punishment for their use of an Albanian nationalist symbol to celebrate their goals in Switzerland’s dramatic 2-1 World Cup win over Serbia on Friday.

The pair, both of Kosovar-Albanian heritage, turned the Group E meeting in Kaliningrad on its head in the second half, each scoring to earn Switzerland victory after Aleksandar Mitrovic’s early opener.

Xhaka, whose father was imprisoned in the former Yugoslavia after protesting for Kosovan independence, celebrated his second-half equaliser by locking his open hands together at the the thumbs and ‘flapping’ his fingers. The gesture resembles – and is understood to be a reference to – the two-headed eagle on Albania’s national flag.

Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Show all 25 1 /25 Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Getty Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Serbia (Top L-R) Serbia's forward Aleksandar Mitrovic, Serbia's goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic, Serbia's defender Nikola Milenkovic, Serbia's midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Serbia's midfielder Nemanja Matic, Serbia's defender Branislav Ivanovic, (Bottom L-R) Serbia's defender Dusko Tosic, Serbia's forward Filip Kostic, Serbia's midfielder Luka Milivojevic, Serbia's forward Dusan Tadic Serbia's defender Aleksandar Kolarov pose prior to the during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group E football match between Serbia and Switzerland at the Kaliningrad Stadium in Kaliningrad on June 22, 2018. (Photo by Patrick HERTZOG / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Vladimir Stojkovic - 6 out of 10 Produced a good save to deny Dzemaili in the first half, but was left exposed when conceding from Xhaka and Shaqiri in the second. Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Branislav Ivanovic - 6 An experienced head at right-back, he notably tired as the game grew old and was unable to offer more support to Tadic. AFP/Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Nikola Milenkovic - 7 The young defender showed plenty of composure in dealing with the direct runs of Shaqiri and Dzemaili. Sergei Fadeichev/TASS Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Dusko Tosic - 5 A solid performance ruined at the last by the misjudgement that allowed Shaqiri a free route to goal. Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Aleksandar Kolarov - 6 The match-winner in his side's opener, he contributed less from an attacking perspective here but was solid as ever in defence. AFP/Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Luka Milivojevic - 5 The Crystal Palace man seemed off the pace for much of the the midfield battle, and was eventually subbed. AFP/Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Nemanja Matic - 6 Walked a tight-rope after a first half yellow card which made his second half defensive duties all the more difficult. Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Dusan Tadic - 7 Orchestrated much of Serbia's best attacking play, his passing and crossing to Mitrovic especially was a joy. Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Sergej Milinkovic-Savic - 6 The Lazio youngster offered glimpses of his exciting talent, but often tried to do too much to the detriment of his team. AFP/Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Filip Kostic - 5 A frustrated figure on the left flank for large periods, he was at his best in the early stages when doubling up on Lichtsteiner with Kolarov. AFP/Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Aleksandar Mitrovic - 8 Showed off his great strength and work rate in a game where he scored one fine header and should have had a penalty. As ever, he tired towards the end and was booked. Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Switzerland Getty Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Yann Sommer - 6 Unconvincing at times in his goalkeeping, pushing the ball back into play more often than he needed to. Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Stephan Lichtsteiner - 5 Arsenal's latest signing brought experience to the Switzerland back-line, but not the attacking intent of previous years. Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Fabian Schar - 6 Given a tough evening by Mitrovic, but battled on to marshal his defence to victory. Sergei Fadeichev/TASS Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Manuel Akanji - 6 The young defender was pulled around by Serbia's movement but used his pace well to cover any over-enthusiasm. AFP/Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Ricardo Rodriguez - 7 The left-back impressed going forward, and gave Ivanovic no end of problems with his runs in behind. At the other end, he struggled when Tadic was on song. Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Valon Behrami - 7 Provided necessary defensive cover during the spells where Serbia dominated. FIFA via Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Granit Xhaka - 7 The Arsenal man dragged his country level with a stunning strike and was a dominant presence in midfield alongside Behrami. Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Xherdan Shaqiri - 7 So frustrating at times, he demonstrated once again that he has the brilliance to win any match. Ineffective for long periods, he clipped the post with an audacious effort before his last minute intervention. Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Blerim Dzemaili - 6 A lively figure around the Serbian penalty area, he lacked the instinct and movement to find his way onto the end of Switzerland's best moves. AFP/Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Steven Zuber - 6 Looked to test Stojkovic whenever possible, his finest moments, however, came with clever passes behind the Serbian defence. FIFA via Getty Images Serbia vs Switzerland: Player ratings Haris Seferovic - 4 An anonymous figure in the first half, he was hooked in a half-time change that speared Switzerland's comeback. AFP/Getty Images

Shaqiri, who was born in Kosovo and plays with the Kosovan flag stitched into his boots, celebrated in the same manner after scoring a 90th-minute winner.

The celebrations run the risk of inflaming tensions between ethnic Albanians and nationalist Serbs in Kosovo and beyond. Kosovo’s Albanian-majority political institutions declared independence from Serbia in 2008. A decade on, Serbia still does not recognise Kosovo’s independence.

Xhaka and Shaqiri could face punishment from Fifa, world football’s governing body, if their celebrations are deemed to be displays of political symbols. Jovan Surbatovic, the general secretary of the Football Association of Serbia, said on Saturday that the organisation intends to write a complaint to Fifa regarding the matter.

Shaqiri put his reaction to his late winner down to ‘emotion’. “I think in football you have always emotions,” the Stoke City forward said. “You can see what I did and I think it’s just emotion. I’m very happy to score this goal. It’s not more. I think we don’t have to speak about this now.”

Vladimir Petkovic, Switzerland’s head coach, suggested his players were caught in the heat of the moment and hoped the celebrations would not detract from his side’s victory.