Boteli double earns Sion 2-1 win in Basel as Ajeti strikes late for Lugano

Boteli sparks Sion comeback in Basel

FC Sion secured a 2-1 victory over FC Basel at St. Jakob-Park in round six of the Swiss Super League. Basel held the lead for most of the contest until forward Winsley Boteli scored two goals within three minutes during the final quarter-hour. Boteli equalized in the 76th minute when his strike from the edge of the penalty area deflected off defender Keigo Tsunemoto, leaving goalkeeper Mirko Salvi with no chance. In the 79th minute, the 20-year-old forward met a cross from Ali Kabacalman with a volley under the crossbar to seal the win. The brace took Boteli to five league goals for the campaign, drawing level with Young Boys forward Samuel Essende at the top of the Super League scoring charts, and brought his season tally across all competitions to 12 goals in 11 matches.

Dismissal shifts momentum after Basel dominance

The turning point occurred shortly after the hour mark when Basel defender Moussa Cisse received two yellow cards in approximately 50 seconds. The 23-year-old left-back fouled Donat Rrudhani twice in rapid succession, resulting in a 62nd-minute red card that left the home side with ten men. Prior to the sending-off, Basel had controlled the match and taken the lead in the 40th minute when Zan Celar latched onto a pass from Asane Sow and chipped Sion goalkeeper Anthony Racioppi. Basel had two additional goals disallowed by officials during the match, including a 35th-minute effort from Sow ruled out for handball and a second Celar finish from a Xherdan Shaqiri free kick flagged for offside. The defeat marks the third consecutive Super League loss against Sion for Basel manager Stephan Lichtsteiner.

Ajeti delivers stoppage-time winner for Lugano

In the evening's second fixture, league leaders FC Lugano maintained their perfect start with a 1-0 home victory over Servette FC in front of 5,755 spectators. Striker Albian Ajeti decided the match in the 94th minute, scoring from close range following an assist by Castro after Servette failed to clear a late cross. Ajeti, who joined Lugano on loan from Basel two days earlier, had scored just one competitive goal for Basel since October before entering as a 67th-minute substitute for Moncada. Servette missed an opportunity to open the scoring in the 19th minute when forward Samuel Mraz failed to convert a penalty.

Perfect start extends Lugano lead

Mattia Croci-Torti's side controlled 65% of possession and generated 21 total shots compared to 10 for Servette, despite hitting the target only three times during the match. The stoppage-time goal secured Lugano's fifth consecutive victory, keeping them at the summit of the Super League table with 15 points from five matches. For Jocelyn Gourvennec's Servette side, the defeat represents their third loss in five league fixtures this season.