In a highly anticipated matchup that was delayed by two days due to inclement weather, FC St. Gallen faced off against Yverdon Sport FC on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Stade Municipal. Originally scheduled for Sunday afternoon, the match was postponed just 50 minutes before kickoff because of heavy rainfall that rendered the field unplayable.
Referee Urs Schnyder was forced to make the tough call, stating, "Regelkonform kann man so nicht Fussball spielen. Da gibt es eigentlich auch keine zwei Meinungen" (You cannot play football according to the rules like this. There really is no two ways about it). Upon arriving at the venue two hours prior to the match, Schnyder noted that the conditions seemed acceptable. However, after a soundcheck with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) 90 minutes before the scheduled start, he was confronted with the deteriorating field conditions. Despite hoping for an improvement, the situation only worsened, leading to the official postponement.
In a media statement, FC St. Gallen expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision, citing, "zu viel Wasser auf dem sonst schon kaum bespielbaren Rasen" (too much water on the already barely playable lawn). The club attributed the waterlogged pitch to a severe thunderstorm that had swept through the area. They also took a moment to thank their dedicated fans who had already made their way to the stadium.
As the match finally got underway on Tuesday evening, the stakes were high for both teams. For FC St. Gallen, the game held little significance in terms of their standing, as they were comfortably placed in the Relegation Group with 47 points from 33 matches. In contrast, Yverdon was battling for survival, sitting precariously on the relegation line with just 33 points from the same number of games.
Historically, Yverdon has had an impressive home record against St. Gallen, winning all five of their home matches since being promoted. This trend added an extra layer of pressure on the visitors as they sought to break the cycle of away losses in this fixture.
The match kicked off at 19:00, and it didn’t take long for the excitement to unfold. Just six minutes into the game, Willem Geubbels delivered a stunning opening goal for FC St. Gallen, executing a remarkable bicycle kick that put the visitors ahead. The goal came amidst a chaotic moment in the penalty area where two Yverdon defenders inadvertently hindered each other, allowing Geubbels to capitalize on the opportunity.
As the match progressed, it was evident that Yverdon was struggling to shake off the effects of their recent heavy defeat to FC Basel, where they suffered a 5-0 loss. The early goal seemed to rattle the home side, and they found it challenging to regain their composure. Despite a few attempts to equalize, including a corner kick and a couple of promising attacks, Yverdon could not find the back of the net.
St. Gallen, on the other hand, appeared confident and composed, controlling much of the possession and creating several chances. The visitors had a near miss when Geubbels’ shot rolled just past the left post, further emphasizing their attacking intent.
Despite the initial setback, Yverdon showed resilience and fought hard to level the score. They pressed forward, but the St. Gallen defense held firm, effectively neutralizing their attempts. With every passing minute, the pressure mounted on Yverdon, who knew that a loss could jeopardize their chances of avoiding relegation.
As the game wore on, the tension in the stadium was palpable. Yverdon’s fans rallied behind their team, hoping to inspire a comeback. However, St. Gallen’s defense remained steadfast, thwarting their efforts and maintaining their slim lead.
In the end, the match concluded with a score of 1-0 in favor of FC St. Gallen, marking a crucial victory for the visitors. This win not only added three points to their tally but also extended their unbeaten streak to four games, including two home victories against Servette and FC Sion.
As for Yverdon, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow, leaving them in a precarious position in the relegation battle. With just a few matches left in the season, they will need to regroup quickly and find a way to secure vital points in their upcoming fixtures.
The match served as a reminder of the unpredictability of football, where conditions can change rapidly, and fortunes can shift in an instant. For FC St. Gallen, the victory was a testament to their resilience and skill, while Yverdon will need to dig deep to find a way out of their current predicament.
Looking ahead, both teams will be focused on their next challenges, with FC St. Gallen aiming to build on their momentum and Yverdon desperately seeking to turn their fortunes around in the remaining weeks of the season.
