In a thrilling match that showcased the resilience of FC Basel, Xherdan Shaqiri delivered a stunning performance, leading his team to a 5-2 victory against Lugano despite playing with ten men for a significant portion of the game. This victory places Basel on the brink of clinching the Swiss Super League title, with celebrations anticipated in the coming days.
The match kicked off with an unexpected pause just two minutes in, as fireworks from Lugano fans disrupted the action. Once play resumed, it was Lugano's Uran Bislimi who struck first, scoring in the second minute after a precise low cross from Mattia Zanotti. Bislimi's quick goal put the home team ahead, setting a challenging tone for Basel, who were eager to secure the championship.
However, the response from Basel was immediate. Just two minutes later, in the fourth minute, Albian Ajeti equalized for Basel. After a scramble in the box, Ajeti managed to tap in the rebound from his own shot, leveling the score at 1-1. The game quickly turned into a back-and-forth battle, with both teams creating chances.
As the first half progressed, it was clear that Lugano was gaining momentum. They looked more dangerous and were closer to scoring again. The tide shifted dramatically in the 42nd minute when Ajeti received a second yellow card for a controversial foul on Albian Hajdari, leaving Basel to play the remainder of the match with ten men.
Despite the setback, Basel came out strong after the halftime break. Just three minutes into the second half, Shaqiri showcased his brilliance. He received the ball at the edge of the box, turned sharply, and unleashed a perfectly placed shot into the bottom corner, giving Basel a 2-1 lead.
Three minutes later, Shaqiri struck again. Capitalizing on a defensive error from Lugano, he intercepted the ball and, with a deft chip over the goalkeeper Sebastian Osigwe, extended Basel's lead to 3-1. The stadium erupted as Shaqiri's magic continued to unfold.
In the 57th minute, Shaqiri completed his hat trick in just nine minutes, a feat that left fans and commentators in awe. After a brilliant setup from Anton Kade, Shaqiri slotted the ball home, making it 4-1. The celebration was electric, as the Basel supporters recognized the significance of Shaqiri's contributions.
Basel's Leroy added the fifth goal in the 60th minute, capitalizing on a rebound after Osigwe's initial save, pushing the score to 5-1. Although Lugano managed to pull one back with a penalty from Anto Grgic in the 68th minute, the outcome was already sealed. The VAR had intervened to confirm the foul, but it did little to dampen the spirits of the Basel fans.
After the match, Basel's captain Dominik Schmid expressed his excitement about the impending celebration, stating, "Everyone knows where we are going in the next few days. To the Barfi. It’s incredible; after such a tough first half, we kept a cool head. Thank you, Shaq, for all the goals and assists. We love you in Basel." Schmid confirmed that the title celebration would depend on the outcome of the Servette vs. Young Boys match on Sunday.
Shaqiri himself reflected on his performance, saying, "It's not the first time I’ve scored a hat trick. I would have been happy with just one goal as long as we win. We will surely have a nice ride back and watch the game together tomorrow." His humility and focus on the team underscored the spirit of Basel's campaign.
Lugano's Antonius Papadopoulos admitted disappointment in his team's performance, stating, "We didn’t expect it to go this way. We started well, but we need to apologize to our fans for that display. We played with one man more, and you couldn’t tell. Shaqiri showed his quality, and everyone saw that today."
Admir Mehmedi, a commentator, added, "We need a new dictionary because we are running out of superlatives for Shaqiri." The comments highlight the impact Shaqiri had not only on the match but also on the broader narrative of the season.
The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, with 5,318 fans in attendance, including over 2,000 traveling Basel supporters who turned the match into a home game. The excitement was palpable as fans began to dream of the championship celebration on Barfüsserplatz, which could coincide with the Eurovision Song Contest festivities.
As Basel awaits the outcome of the Servette and Young Boys match, the anticipation builds. If Servette fails to win, Basel will secure their 21st championship title, their first since 2017. The team is ready to celebrate, and the city of Basel is preparing for a grand event, with plans already in place to shift from music to football festivities should the title be confirmed.
In the coming days, all eyes will be on the match between Servette and Young Boys, as the fate of Basel's championship hopes hangs in the balance. The excitement is undeniable, and the celebrations are just around the corner.
