Xherdan Shaqiri scores a hat-trick to fire FC Basel to a 3-1 home win against Servette and to the top of the Super League for the first time in over three years.
Xherdan Shaqiri had the luck of the draw on Sunday evening, when the Basel returnee thrilled the 26,000-strong crowd at St. Jakob-Park with a hat-trick. The 33-year-old failed to beat Servette goalkeeper Jérémy Frick with a penalty in the 91st minute, but the ball bounced back into the striker's feet. The 2:1 was perfect. Shaqiri secured victory a little later after a counter-attack. He had made it 1:0 in the 40th minute with a free kick that found its way through the opening wall.
"A great day for us," Shaqiri understandably said in an interview with "blue". The outcome of the game was also in the balance. Servette were on a par, even superior at times. After Timothé Cognat made it 1:1 in the 55th minute following a fine combination, Geneva were in control for a long time and played their part in the thrilling and exciting top-of-the-table game. An uncontrolled challenge by Gaël Ondoua on substitute Léo Leroy in his own penalty area spoiled Servette's trip to Basel late on.
However, Basel's victory did not come about entirely by chance. FCB were a touch more dangerous with their attacking trio, Kevin Carlos, Shaqiri and Bénie Traoré, who together scored 18 goals - the same number as FC Sion, more than Yverdon, Winterthur and GC. FCB is a deserved leader because, with six wins from the last seven games, it is the team with the strongest form, has by far the best offense in the league with 38 goals and, together with Lugano, also has the best defense with 16 goals conceded.
Comments on the game
Man of the Match: Xherdan Shaqiri (Basel)
"Basel's fine technician pulled the coal out of the fire for his team again today and scored three times. He ensures that red and blue can lift themselves to the top of the table."
blue Sport commentator Stefan Flückiger
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Basel - Servette 3:1 (1:0)
26'247 spectators. - SR Tschudi. - Goals: 40. Shaqiri 1:0. 55. Cognat (Guillemenot) 1:1. 91. Shaqiri 2:1. 92. Shaqiri (Traoré) 3:1.
Basel: Hitz; Mendes, Barisic, Vouilloz, Schmid; Avdullahu, Romário Baró (59. Leroy); Soticek (66. Sigua), Shaqiri, Traoré; Kevin Carlos (82. Ajeti).
Servette: Frick; Tsunemoto, Rouiller, Severin, Magnin; Douline, Ondoua; Stevanovic, Cognat (90. Ouattara), Kutesa (76. von Moos); Guillemenot (60. Simbakoli).
Remarks: 90. Frick saves penalty from Shaqiri. Cautions: 32nd Barisic, 69th Cognat.
Video ticker
FC Basel
Servette FC
- Xherdan Shaqiri - 1:0 (40.)
- Xherdan Shaqiri - 2:1 (90.+2.)
- Xherdan Shaqiri - 3:1 (90.+2.)
- (55.) 1:1 - Timothé Cognat
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Liveticker
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Liveticker closed
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90.
Shaqiri with his third goal
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90.
Shaqiri successful with a follow-up shot - Basel lead again
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64.
Carlos misses to give Basel the lead
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59.
Traoré misses next FCB chance
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55.
Cognat equalizes for Servette
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40.
Shaqiri gives Basel a fantastic lead from a free kick
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8.
Hitz saves Kutesa's header
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0.
Alex Frei: "A tribe is growing at FCB this season"
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0.
René Weiler: "I don't like it when a sports director sits on the bench"
René Weiler explains in an exclusive interview with blue Sport why he would never sit on the bench in his role as Servette's head of sport.
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90.+5.End of 2nd half
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90.+2.Goal for FC Basel, 3:1 through Xherdan Shaqiri (Bénie Traoré)
Xherdan Shaqiri
Midfielder
Assist: Bénie Traoré
Striker
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90.+2.FC Basel misses penalty
Xherdan Shaqiri
Midfielder
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90.+2.Goal for FC Basel, 2:1 through Xherdan Shaqiri
Xherdan Shaqiri
Midfielder
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90.Substitution in Servette FC
Tiemoko Ouattara
Striker
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90.Substitution out Servette FC
Timothé Cognat
Midfielder
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82.Substitution in FC Basel
Albian Ajeti
Striker
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82.Substitution out FC Basel
Kevin Carlos
Striker
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76.Substitution in Servette FC
Julian von Moos
Striker
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76.Substitution out Servette FC
Dereck Kutesa
Striker
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69.Yellow card Servette FC
Timothé Cognat
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66.Substitution in FC Basel
Gabriel Sigua
Midfielder
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66.Substitution out FC Basel
Marin Soticek
Striker
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60.Substitution in Servette FC
Mamadou Usman Simbakoli
Striker
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60.Substitution out Servette FC
Jeremy Guillemenot
Striker
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59.Substitution in FC Basel
Leo Leroy
Midfielder
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59.Substitution out FC Basel
Romário Baró
Midfielder
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55.Goal for Servette FC, 1:1 through Timothé Cognat (Jeremy Guillemenot)
Timothé Cognat
Midfielder
Assist: Jeremy Guillemenot
Striker
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46.Kick-off 2nd half
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45.+2.End of 1st half
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40.Goal for FC Basel, 1:0 through Xherdan Shaqiri
Xherdan Shaqiri
Midfielder
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32.Yellow card FC Basel
Adrian Barisic
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1.Start of the match