Besiktas battles to 3-3 draw with Lugano in Europa League play-off first leg

In a thrilling first leg of the Europa League play-off round, Besiktas and Lugano drew 3-3 in a high-scoring match at Thun Stadium in Switzerland. Despite leading 3-1 in the second half, Besiktas was unable to hold onto the advantage, but still secured a promising result for the return leg in Istanbul.

Besiktas opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a goal from Gedson, but Lugano quickly equalized through Bislimi in the 34th minute. The first half ended with the score tied at 1-1.

The second half began with Besiktas pushing hard for the win, and their efforts were rewarded when Gedson struck again in the 51st minute. Four minutes later, Al-Musrati added a third for the Turkish side, giving them a two-goal cushion.

However, Lugano fought back. Steffen reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the 57th minute, and just six minutes later, Paulista’s own goal leveled the score at 3-3. Despite late pressure from both sides, the match ended in a draw.

With this result, Besiktas heads into the second leg at home on August 29 with a slight edge, knowing that a win in Istanbul will secure their place in the Europa League group stages.

Besiktas showed glimpses of their attacking prowess, with Gedson’s brace and Al-Musrati’s goal showcasing their quality. However, defensive lapses allowed Lugano back into the game, leaving the Turkish side to reflect on what could have been a commanding victory.

The two teams will meet again in Istanbul, where Besiktas aims to finish the job and secure their spot in the Europa League proper.