Lugano and Basel put on a top-of-the-table showdown. The Ticino side are just a few minutes away from victory, which Xherdan Shaqiri prevents with a converted penalty to make the final score 2-2.
Once again, it was Xherdan Shaqiri who proved decisive for FC Basel. It was not enough for the visitors to win in Lugano and thus leap to the top of the table. But their captain and star player prevented the defeat.
Shaqiri's pass in the 86th minute was preceded by a foul on Bénie Traoré in the Ticino penalty area. The former Swiss international converted the penalty safely. It was his sixth goal of the season. Shaqiri was involved in Basel's first goal, Kevin Carlos' 1:0 midway through the first half, with a perfect assist.
While the opening and closing phases belonged to Basel, Lugano showed their qualities mainly at the start of the second half. After Anto Grgic equalized with a penalty shortly before the break to make it 1:1, the hosts stormed vehemently towards Basel's goal. Albian Hajdari, the Basel-trained central defender, made it 2:1 in the 53rd minute when the 21-year-old found himself free in the Basel penalty area following a cross. Shortly before, the Luganesi had already hit the post and crossbar.
The draw keeps the top teams close together in the table. Basel, who host Sion next Sunday, are one point behind Lugano, who visit Winterthur on Saturday.
Comments on the game
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Lugano - Basel 2:2 (1:1)
4888 spectators. - SR Wolfensberger. - Goals: 24. Kevin Carlos (Shaqiri) 0:1. 45. Grgic (penalty) 1:1. 53. Hajdari (Valenzuela) 2:1. 87. Shaqiri (penalty) 2:2.
Lugano: Saipi; Zanotti (84. Brault-Guillard), Papadopoulos, Hajdari, Valenzuela; Mahmoud, Grgic (71. Doumbia); Steffen, Bislimi (84. Mai), Bottani (57. Mahou); Vladi (71. Koutsias).
Basel: Hitz; Mendes (79. Sigua), Barisic, Adjetey, Schmid (46. Cissé); Avdullahu, Leroy (62. Soticek), Kade (62. Romário Baró); Shaqiri, Traoré; Kevin Carlos (79. Fink).
Remarks: Cautions: 28 for Mendes, 36 for Leroy, 42 for Schmid, 57 for Steffen, 74 for Cissé, 92 for Brault-Guillard.
Man of the Match: Xherdan Shaqiri (Basel)
"The new captain prepares the opening goal for 1:0 wonderfully. When it looked like he would lose, Shaq held his nerve and secured the draw for his team from the spot."
blue Sport commentator Marko Vucur.
The video ticker
FC Lugano
FC Basel
- Anto Grgic - 1:1 (45.+2.)
- Albian Hajdari - 2:1 (53.)
- (24.) 0:1 - Kevin Omoruyi
- (87.) 2:2 - Xherdan Shaqiri
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Liveticker
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Liveticker closed
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87.
Shaqiri scores the equalizer for Basel with a penalty
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65.
Traoré's finish hits the crossbar
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64.
Bislimi misses the third Lugano goal
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53.
The FCB defense forgets Hajdari - Lugano have turned the game around
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51.
Hitz, post and crossbar save for FCB within seconds
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45. +2.
Referee expert Erlachner explains: That's why Schmid gets away without a red card
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45. +2.
Grgic converts penalty - Lugano equalize
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40.
Vladi takes a shot - but FCB goalie Hitz is on the spot
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24.
Shaqiri prepares, Kevin finishes ice-cold - Basel go ahead
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1.
Kevin Carlos misses the post - Basel miss the lightning start
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0.
Croci-Torti: "Lugano have a plan for Shaqiri"
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90.+5.End of 2nd half
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90.+2.Yellow card FC Lugano
Zachary Brault-Guillard
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87.Goal for FC Basel, 2:2 through penalties from Xherdan Shaqiri
Xherdan Shaqiri
Striker
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84.Substitution in FC Lugano
Zachary Brault-Guillard
Defender
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84.Substitution out FC Lugano
Mattia Zanotti
Defender
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84.Substitution in FC Lugano
Lars Lukas Mai
Defender
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84.Substitution out FC Lugano
Uran Bislimi
Midfielder
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79.Substitution in FC Basel
Bradley Fink
Striker
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79.Substitution out FC Basel
Kevin Omoruyi
Striker
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79.Substitution in FC Basel
Gabriel Sigua
Midfielder
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79.Substitution out FC Basel
Joe Mendes
Defender
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74.Yellow card FC Basel
Moussa Cissé
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71.Substitution in FC Lugano
Georgios Koutsias
Striker
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71.Substitution out FC Lugano
Shkelqim Vladi
Striker
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71.Substitution in FC Lugano
Ousmane Doumbia
Midfielder
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71.Substitution out FC Lugano
Anto Grgic
Midfielder
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62.Substitution in FC Basel
Romário Baró
Midfielder
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62.Substitution out FC Basel
Anton Kade
Midfielder
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62.Substitution in FC Basel
Marin Soticek
Striker
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62.Substitution out FC Basel
Leo Leroy
Midfielder
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58.Substitution in FC Lugano
Hicham Mahou
Midfielder
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58.Substitution out FC Lugano
Mattia Bottani
Midfielder
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57.Yellow card FC Lugano
Renato Steffen
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53.Goal for FC Lugano, 2:1 through Albian Hajdari (Milton Valenzuela)
Albian Hajdari
Defender
Assist: Milton Valenzuela
Defender
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46.Substitution in FC Basel
Moussa Cissé
Defender
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46.Substitution out FC Basel
Dominik Schmid
Defender
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46.Kick-off 2nd half
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45.+3.End of 1st half
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45.+2.Goal for FC Lugano, 1:1 through penalties from Anto Grgic
Anto Grgic
Midfielder
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42.Yellow card FC Basel
Dominik Schmid
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37.Yellow card FC Basel
Leo Leroy
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28.Yellow card FC Basel
Joe Mendes
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24.Goal for FC Basel, 0:1 through Kevin Omoruyi (Xherdan Shaqiri)
Kevin Omoruyi
Striker
Assist: Xherdan Shaqiri
Striker
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1.Start of the match
