FC Basel, facing possible elimination from the Coupe de Suisse, staged a remarkable comeback against Etoile Carouge, winning 3-1 on February 26, 2025, at the Stade de la Fontenette. The match was tense and intensifying, especially for the underdog Carouge, who led until the 83rd minute.
Basel’s struggle was evident from the beginning. The Challenge League side, Etoile Carouge, dominated play throughout the first half, showcasing their offensive prowess. Despite their prominence, Basel managed to keep the score level, largely thanks to Mirko Salvi's goalkeeping, who made several outstanding saves against the attacks led by experienced players like Vincent Rüfli and the dynamic Usman Simbakoli.
The first major turning point came just after halftime when Basel midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri shockingly missed a penalty. His shot was saved by Carouge's goalkeeper, Signori Antonio, who thwarted what could have been Basel's breakthrough moment. This miss left the Basel fans anxious, and Carouge fans hopeful.
Just moments later, Carouge took the lead with Oscar Correia's stunning strike from outside the box. He curled the ball beautifully from the left, leaving Salvi with no chance as it found the top right corner of the net. The crowd erupted, dreaming of the possibility of taking down the reigning super league champions.
With the score at 1-0, the energy shifted significantly. Carouge's belief surged, and they started to envision pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. They defended with resilience and countered effectively, coming close to doubling their lead on several occasions. Marculino Ninte, for example, had two clear chances just before halftime.
FC Basel, under pressure and with the clock ticking down, found themselves excessively frustrated as time dwindled. The players appeared desperate, with many attempts thwarted by the determined Carouge defense.
Then came the moment of redemption for Basel—just as the match seemed destined for disappointment. Just after the 83rd minute, Gabriel Sigua netted the equalizer. A swift transition caught Carouge off-balance. After receiving the ball, Sigua seized the opportunity and shot, leaving Antonio unable to respond.
Within the next two minutes, Basel added two more goals, with Kevin Carlos scoring twice. He took full advantage of some defensive slips from Carouge, completing the turnaround and clinching the win for Basel. The goals came so swiftly they left the Carouge players and their supporters stunned.
The final whistle blew, confirming Basel's advance to the Coupe semi-finals, but not without acknowledging the tremendous effort shown by Etoile Carouge. Despite the defeat, their performance displayed skill and determination, leaving the 4,100-strong home crowd proud of their team.
After the match, the Carouge coach, Adrian Ursea, expressed his team's disappointment yet pride for their strong showing against one of Switzerland's elite teams. "A win for Carouge would not have been undeserved," remarked the ATS, reflecting on how close his team came to securing victory.
Now, Basel looks forward to their semi-final match, relieved to have escaped what could have been seen as a humiliations exit. "It looked like a big surprise for a long time, but FCB pulled their heads out of the noose in the end," said 20 Minutes, capturing the essence of the dramatic finish.
Although escaping elimination for Basel, the match also showcased the potential strength of the Challenge League, with Carouge proving they are not just participants but formidable challenges to the bigger teams. This thrilling encounter will be remembered as one of the highlights of this year's Coupe de Suisse.