Besiktas qualifies for Europa League groups with 5-1 victory over Lugano

In a dominant display at Tupras Stadium, Besiktas secured their place in the UEFA Europa League group stage after a resounding 5-1 victory over Swiss side Lugano in the play-off round second leg. The win, marked by a barrage of goals, ensured the Turkish team advanced with a convincing aggregate score.

The match saw Besiktas take control early on, with Immobile opening the scoring in the 7th minute, capitalizing on a rebounded shot from goalkeeper Saipi. Lugano managed to briefly equalize in the 59th minute through Shkelqim Vladi, but Besiktas quickly regained the lead with a series of goals that dismantled the visitors’ defense.

Gedson Fernandes restored Besiktas’s advantage in the 66th minute, followed by a spectacular lobbed goal from Rafa Silva in the 70th minute. Immobile added his second of the night just two minutes later, further extending Besiktas’s lead. The final goal came in stoppage time when Salih Uçan found the back of the net after a well-placed cross from Jonas Svensson, sealing the 5-1 victory.

Lugano, unable to withstand Besiktas’s relentless attack, will now continue their European campaign in the UEFA Conference League.

After the match, Lugano’s head coach Mattia Croci-Torti acknowledged Besiktas’s superiority, stating, “Besiktas is a quality team. They deserved the win and the place in the group stage. We had a chance after equalizing but couldn’t hold out. Their players like Immobile and Rafa Silva made the difference.”

Croci-Torti also highlighted the challenges posed by playing in Türkiye, noting the passionate fanbase and intense atmosphere. “Playing in this stadium, in front of these fans, is much tougher than in other venues. The atmosphere here is something special,” he said.

Besiktas, bolstered by their commanding performance, will now look ahead to their Europa League campaign, while Lugano aims to regroup and compete in the Conference League.