Sion shocks Zurich with three late goals – 2:3 home defeat at Letzigrund

lbs. / (sda) The Super League championship opener is a tough one. After falling behind 2-0, FC Sion turns the game around with late goals to win 3-2 in their away game against FC Zurich.

Three summer signings brought about a turnaround that was no longer thought possible with their goals in the 81st, 87th, and 91st minutes. Rilind Nivokazi, last year's top scorer in the Challenge League, first pulled one back. Josias Lukembila then equalized with a header, before Winsley Boteli capitalized on a mistake by the Zurich goalkeeper and fired into an empty net.

While Sion celebrated their third consecutive victory against FC Zurich, the home team and their new coach Mitchell van der Gaag were left in awe. How could they have squandered such a favorable starting position?

The start was promising. In the 27th minute, Steven Zuber kicked off the season with a dream goal. The 33-year-old took aim from a good 20 meters and fired the ball precisely into the top corner of the net. Former YB goalkeeper Anthony Racioppi, who had returned to the Super League after a year abroad, was powerless to stop him.

The opening goal was deserved given the possession, and in the 55th minute, the hosts doubled their lead. Following a pass from Umeh Emmanuel, who had already assisted the opener, 21-year-old Damienus Reverson made it 2-0. Emmanuel won the ball on the touchline following a mistake by Kreshnik Hajrizi and then passed it behind the defense.

It was understandable that the Zurich team slowed down after that. That they would completely lose the plot was hardly foreseeable. But the previously inferior visitors from Valais showed ice-cold determination in the closing stages and took home the three points thanks to their furious finish.