FC Lugano qualified for the last 16 of the Conference League with ease. The Ticino side conceded a late equalizer against Pafos to draw 2-2, but still finish the league phase in the top eight.
Lugano are through to the last 16 of the Conference League. In their final game of the league phase in Thun, the Ticino side drew 2-2 against Pafos from Cyprus after conceding a late goal.
Lugano are obviously comfortable on the European stage. On Thursday, the Ticino side drew at the end of the Conference League phase to secure a place in the winter.
As impressive as this result is, Mattia Croci-Torti's team got off to an unspectacular start against Pafos. After four minutes, a shot from Pepe bounced off the post and into the back of Lugano goalkeeper Amir Saipi, from where it rolled into the net.
But the Luganesi quickly found an answer in front of 1795 fans in the nasty weather in Thun's exile. Mahmoud Belhadj converted an assist from Mattia Zanotti to equalize just three minutes later. Pafos then had a number of good opportunities and repeatedly made dangerous appearances in the Super League leaders' penalty area. And when João Correia went down in the penalty area, Lugano were lucky that referee Nenad Minakovic did not award a penalty.
Instead, the team from the Sottoceneri were celebrating again after just over half an hour. Mattia Bottani scored into the empty net after a mistake by the visitors. In the final phase, the Ticino side had several chances to increase the score.
However, neither Renato Steffen nor Bottani managed to calm Ticino's nerves with another goal. Which David Goldar took advantage of deep into stoppage time to equalize for Pafos. It's a flaw that shouldn't carry any weight. Lugano made it through to the round of 16 of Europe's third-tier competition, which will be played in March 2025, thus avoiding the detour via the round of 16.
Voice of the game
The telegram
Lugano - Pafos 2:2 (2:1)
1795 spectators. - SR Minakovic (SRB). - Goals: 4th Saipi (own goal) 0:1. 7th Mahmoud 1:1. 33rd Bottani 2:1. 95th Goldar 2:2.
Lugano: Saipi; Zanotti, Papadopoulos, Hajdari, Valenzuela (91. Martim Marques); Grgic, Mahmoud (91. Daniel Dos Santos); Steffen (91. El Wafi), Bislimi, Mahou (59. Doumbia); Bottani (73. Przybylko).
Pafos: Michael; Correia, Luckassen, Goldar, Pontelo (67. Pileas); Pepe (79. Jaja); Tankovic, Dragomir, Sunjic (67. Quina), Bruno (79. Léo Natel); Silva (67. Jairo).
Remarks: Lugano without Aliseda (injured). Cautions: 26 Tankovic. 29 Correia. 45th Bottani, 70th Bislimi, 74th Luckassen, 91st Mahmoud, 94th Grgic.
FC Lugano
Pafos FC
- Hadj Mahmoud - 1:1 (7.)
- Mattia Bottani - 2:1 (33.)
- (4.) 0:1 - Amir Saipi
- (90.+5.) 2:2 - David Goldar
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Liveticker
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Liveticker closed
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90. + 5'
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72.
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56.
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49.
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33.
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18.
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7.
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4.
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0.
The situation
With twelve points from five games, Mattia Croci-Torti's team are in a good position to finish in the top eight. A draw against Pafos should be enough to avoid a detour via the round of 16. However, the Luganesi want to end their European fall with another win.
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90.+6.Yellow card Pafos FC
Domingos Quina
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90.+6.End of 2nd half
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90.+6.Yellow card FC Lugano
Kacper Przybylko
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90.+5.Goal for Pafos FC, 2:2 through David Goldar (Muamer Tankovic)
David Goldar
Defender
Assist: Muamer Tankovic
Midfielder
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90.+4.Yellow card FC Lugano
Anto Grgic
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90.+2.Substitution in FC Lugano
Daniel Dos Santos
Midfielder
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90.+2.Substitution out FC Lugano
Hadj Mahmoud
Midfielder
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90.+2.Yellow card FC Lugano
Hadj Mahmoud
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90.+2.Substitution in FC Lugano
Ayman El Wafi
Defender
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90.+2.Substitution out FC Lugano
Renato Steffen
Midfielder
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90.+2.Substitution in FC Lugano
Martim Marques
Defender
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90.+2.Substitution out FC Lugano
Milton Valenzuela
Defender
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80.Substitution in Pafos FC
Léo Natel
Striker
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80.Substitution out Pafos FC
Pêpê
Midfielder
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79.Substitution in Pafos FC
Jajá
Striker
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79.Substitution out Pafos FC
Bruno Felipe Da Silva
Defender
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74.Yellow card Pafos FC
Derrick Luckassen
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73.Substitution in FC Lugano
Kacper Przybylko
Striker
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73.Substitution out FC Lugano
Mattia Bottani
Striker
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70.Yellow card FC Lugano
Uran Bislimi
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67.Substitution in Pafos FC
Domingos Quina
Midfielder
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67.Substitution out Pafos FC
Ivan Šunjic
Midfielder
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67.Substitution in Pafos FC
Jairo
Striker
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67.Substitution out Pafos FC
Anderson Silva
Striker
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67.Substitution in Pafos FC
Kostas Pileas
Defender
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67.Substitution out Pafos FC
Rafael Pontelo
Defender
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59.Substitution in FC Lugano
Ousmane Doumbia
Midfielder
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59.Substitution out FC Lugano
Hicham Mahou
Midfielder
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46.Kick-off 2nd half
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45.+4.End of 1st half
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45.+2.Yellow card FC Lugano
Mattia Bottani
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33.Goal for FC Lugano, 2:1 through Mattia Bottani (Mattia Zanotti)
Mattia Bottani
Striker
Assist: Mattia Zanotti
Defender
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29.Yellow card Pafos FC
João Correia
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26.Yellow card Pafos FC
Muamer Tankovic
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7.Goal for FC Lugano, 1:1 through Hadj Mahmoud (Mattia Zanotti)
Hadj Mahmoud
Midfielder
Assist: Mattia Zanotti
Defender
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4.Goal for Pafos FC, 0:1 through an own goal by Amir Saipi
Amir Saipi
Goalkeeper
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1.Start of the match