Basel fails in Cup quarter-final Boukhalfa shoots St.Gallen into fortune in stoppage time

Thanks to a last-minute goal, St. Gallen beat FC Basel 2-1 in the Cup quarter-finals, thus losing their third game under new coach Stephan Lichtsteiner. St.Gallen face Yverdon in the semi-final, with Lausanne-Ouchy taking on Grasshoppers in the second semi-final.

Stoppage time was already running in St. Gallen. Many of the more than 16,000 fans in the stadium were probably already resigned to extra time. But in the 93rd minute, Carlo Boukhalfa rewarded the hosts for a strong performance in regulation time. The 26-year-old started the move by winning the ball and finished it off with a low shot inside the Basel penalty area to make it 2-1.

The statistics had actually spoken against the eastern Swiss side. Basel had won six of the previous seven Cup duels - the only St. Gallen victory dated back to January 21, 1945, when FCSG prevailed 3-0.

FCSG scores very early and very late

The second St. Gallen victory in the Cup against Basel 81 years later was therefore less clear-cut. A very late and a very early goal, scored by Aliou Baldé after just 52 seconds, made the difference against Basel, who did not really come into their own in the first half. St. Gallen remained confident after the 1:0, were strong in the duels and already had opportunities for another goal.

After the break, it was Basel who came out of the break stronger. They made it 1:1 through 18-year-old joker Giacomo Koloto before St. Gallen took control of the game again. After equalizing, Enrico Maassen's team created chance after chance, especially in the final 15 minutes. In the end, Basel's defeat was the logical consequence.

Lausanne-Ouchy against GC - Yverdon challenges St.Gallen

While a title has receded into the distance for Basel, last season's double winners, after their third bitter defeat in a week, the team from eastern Switzerland can continue to hope. They have already gained revenge for losing the Cup quarter-final three years ago.

In the semi-final, the team from Eastern Switzerland will face Yverdon away from home. The second semi-final will pit Lausanne-Ouchy against GC. The Vaud side beat FC Luzern 2-1 in the second quarter-final on Wednesday.

Second Challenge League team in the semi-finalsLucerne fail to beat Stade Lausanne-Ouchy in the Cup

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FC St.Gallen

Completed

2:1

(1:0)

FC Basel

• Aliou Baldé - 1:0 (1.)
•  
• Carlo Boukhalfa - 2:1 (90.+3.)

•  
• (65.) 1:1 - Giacomo Koloto
•  

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90.+5.

Final whistle - St.Gallen advance to the semi-finals

That's it! FC St.Gallen beat FC Basel 2:1 and advance to the semi-finals. It was a deserved win for the team from eastern Switzerland, who played strongly in the first half and were able to take control of the game again after Basel's equalizer.

90.+3.

TOOOOOOR for St.Gallen!

And then St.Gallen scored after all! In the third minute of stoppage time, Boukhalfa takes heart after a rebound and scores with pinpoint accuracy into the bottom left corner. St.Gallen lead again - and there are still a few minutes to play.

89.

St.Gallen become dangerous once more

The home team pluck up their courage once more and try to decide the game. Boukhalfa is dangerous again with a header, but the ball lands just wide of the post. A short time later, Görtler also tries a header, but again the ball is not on target.

85.

It smells like extra time

The final phase is underway - and neither team seems to want to take any more risks. There are just a few minutes left for a possible lucky punch.

71.

Double chance for St.Gallen

The eastern Swiss are now back in full force. FCSG have two great opportunities after a corner. First Stanic fails to beat Salvi with his header, then Okoroji shoots just wide of the goal. Shortly afterwards, Salvi had to intervene again. St.Gallen are getting stronger again.

70.

Daschner's long-range shot flies over the goal

St.Gallen finally dare to go on the offensive again. Daschner tries from long range. A good shot, but the ball flies just over Salvi's goal.

65.

TOOOOOOR for Basel - 1:1

There's the equalizer! After St.Gallen are able to clear in extremis after a Shaqiri corner, they finally score a few minutes later. After a Traoré cross, substitute Koloto is completely free and heads in to make it 1:1. The equalizer is fine, Basel are the better team in the second half.

64.

Besio comes on for Vogt

Alessandro Vogt has called it a day. Diego Besio comes on for him.

57.

Kacuri replaces Bacanin

Second change for FCB: Dion Kacuri enters the pitch, Bacanin is sent to the showers.

55.

Basel get stronger

FC Basel have returned stronger from the break and are now looking to attack. Vouilloz has the first good chance of the second half, but is thwarted at the last moment.

47.

The ball is rolling again

The second half continues. FCB coach Stephan Lichtsteiner made his first change during the break. The unfortunate Albian Ajeti is replaced by 18-year-old Giacomo Koloto.

46.

Lucerne fail against Lausanne-Ouchy

In the second quarter-final on Wednesday, Challenge League side Lausanne-Ouchy took an early 2-0 lead against FC Luzern. The score remained unchanged until the final phase, before Lucas Ferreira reduced the deficit to 1-2 in the 87th minute. Lucerne then threw everything forward and had one or two good chances to equalize, but in the end it remained 2-1. Lausanne-Ouchy were the second Challenge League side after Yverdon to reach the semi-finals.

45.

Intermission

The first half is over. It took FC Basel more than half an hour to find their feet in this Cup quarter-final. It was only shortly before the break that Basel had their first good chance to score. At the other end, St.Gallen were wide awake from the start and dominated the game after taking the lead early on. The lead was absolutely justified.

40.

Bacanin misses top chance to equalize

FCB are slowly feeling their way forward - and suddenly have a great opportunity. Shaqiri sent Bacanin on his way, the young Serbian powered his way through and shot just wide of the goal. That should have been the equalizer.

37.

Ajeti's shot blocked

It takes almost 37 minutes before there is a hint of goal threat in the St.Gallen penalty area. Ajeti gets his shot away, but it is blocked. Shortly afterwards, BVB loanee Duranville also tries from distance, but the ball flies well over the goal.

29.

Vogt hammers the ball against the far post

While FCB continue to search for their first goalscoring opportunity, St.Gallen become dangerous once again. After a free kick, Vogt takes full risk and tries it directly with his instep. The ball lands at the far post.

24.

Baldé with the next shot

Goalscorer Baldé continues to whirl and shoots again towards Salvi. This time the FCB goalkeeper is on hand to save.

20.

FCB still harmless

Basel can't hide their attacking weakness today either. 20 minutes have been played - FCSG goalkeeper Watkowiak has had nothing to do.

16.

Yellow card against Stanic

The first caution is due. Stanic is shown a yellow card for a tactical foul on Shaqiri.

12.

Luzern behind against Lausanne-Ouchy

While the game in St.Gallen has only just begun, the second half of the second quarter-final is already underway. And there is a strong smell of a surprise: FC Luzern are 2-0 down after just under an hour against Lausanne-Ouchy.

10.

Basel are still waiting for their first chance to score

FCB have recovered somewhat from the early shock, but are still waiting for their first goal. After a free-kick cross from Shaqiri, the Basel players complain about handball, but it was nothing. At the other end, Vogt tries first time from an acute angle.

1.

TOOOOOR for St.Gallen!

The game has begun, but FC Basel still seem to have their heads in the dressing room. St.Gallen play their way through easily down the right flank, Aliou Baldé is even able to lay the ball off in the penalty area and slot it in effortlessly. No chance for Salvi, FCSG take an early 1:0 lead.

1.

Kick-off!

The ball rolls ...

0.

The line-ups of the two teams

🏆 Unsere Start1️⃣1️⃣ gegen den FC Basel 🏆#FCSG #GrüewissImHerz #FCSGFCB #AllesOderNichts pic.twitter.com/vQPkz8Zh5p

— FC St.Gallen 1879 GRÜEWISS IM HERZ (@FCSG_1879) February 4, 2026

🏃‍♂️ 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁-1️⃣1️⃣ 𝗳ü𝗿𝘀 𝗚ö𝗯𝗯-𝗩𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗹 𝗴𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗱𝗿 𝗙𝗖 𝗦𝘁.𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲 🏆

Abwesend:
Metinho (gesperrt), Hitz, Broschinski, Tsunemoto, van Breemen (alle angeschlagen), Do Nascimento (verletzt).#FCBasel1893 #AlliZämme… pic.twitter.com/40m1fmT85R

— FC Basel 1893 (@FCBasel1893) February 4, 2026

0.

What makes FCSG substitute goalkeeper Lukas Watkowiak tick

0.

Basel's last chance to win the title

The Cup is probably FCB's last realistic chance of winning the title this season. The task is difficult, however, as Basel are behind St. Gallen in the league and have not won in eastern Switzerland for three years. Despite Basel's weakness on the road, the team will be hoping for a good omen, as their last win there came in a Cup quarter-final.

0.

Lucerne favorite

In the second match of the day, Stade Lausanne-Ouchy will host FC Luzern. For Lausanne-Ouchy, progressing would be historic. The club from the Challenge League has never made it past the round of 16 in the Swiss Cup. The match is already underway.

90.+7.
End of 2nd half
90.+5.
Substitution in FC St.Gallen

Malamine Efekele
Striker
90.+5.
Substitution out FC St.Gallen

Aliou Baldé
Striker
90.+3.
Goal for FC St.Gallen, 2:1 through Carlo Boukhalfa
Carlo Boukhalfa
Midfielder
87.
Yellow card FC Basel
Giacomo Koloto
86.
Substitution in FC Basel

Koba Koindredi
Midfielder
86.
Substitution out FC Basel

Leo Leroy
Midfielder
77.
Substitution in FC Basel
Jeremy Agbonifo
Striker
77.
Substitution out FC Basel
Julien Duranville
Midfielder
65.
Goal for FC Basel, 1:1 through Giacomo Koloto
Giacomo Koloto
Striker
64.
Substitution in FC St.Gallen
Diego Besio
Striker
64.
Substitution out FC St.Gallen
Alessandro Vogt
Striker
57.
Substitution in FC Basel
Dion Kacuri
Midfielder
57.
Substitution out FC Basel
Andrej Bacanin
Midfielder
55.
Yellow card FC St.Gallen
Tom Gaal
51.
Yellow card FC Basel
Kevin Rüegg
46.
Substitution in FC Basel
Giacomo Koloto
Striker
46.
Substitution out FC Basel

Albian Ajeti
Striker
46.
Kick-off 2nd half
45.+2.
End of 1st half
45.
Yellow card FC St.Gallen
Lukas Görtler
16.
Yellow card FC St.Gallen
Jozo Stanic
1.
Goal for FC St.Gallen, 1:0 through Aliou Baldé

Aliou Baldé
Striker
1.
Start of the match