Hélder Ferreira’s penalty on 25 minutes put Noah 1-0 up on the night and 3-2 up on aggregate, briefly tilting the tie toward the visitors. The spot kick came after Gustavo Sangaré drew the foul inside the area, and Ferreira kept his cool from 11 metres. Sion still controlled the first half with 60 percent possession, though they produced just one shot on target before the interval. The game then flipped after halftime, helped by a brighter tempo and cleaner final-third play from the hosts.

On 53 minutes, a swift move down the right opened space for Rilind Nivokazi to slide a smart assist into Boteli Mokango, who finished high to make it 1-1. Ten minutes later, Nivokazi turned provider again, feeding Baltazar on the left side of the box for a left-footed finish into the low right corner. Between those goals, Sion’s wide rotations pulled Noah’s back line around and created repeated entries into good zones. Noah used their bench to chase the game, but Sion managed the final stages with steady shape and clearances when needed. Referee David Smajc added six minutes at the end, and Sion saw it out without allowing a late high-quality chance.

Team stats that told the story

The hosts finished with a 17-8 shot edge and led 5-3 for shots on target, a gap built almost entirely after the break. Sion also enjoyed a 53-47 possession split overall, yet the more telling number was their work in and around the penalty area. They recorded 25 touches in the opposition box compared to Noah’s 18, a steady stream of pressure that finally paid off. Big chances were 4-1 to Sion, even if the home side did not convert any of those designated big looks.

Final-third effectiveness stood out. Both teams logged 56 final-third entries, but Sion completed 100 of 136 passes in that zone for 74 percent, while Noah were 57 of 102 for 56 percent. Corners also leaned Sion’s way at 7-3, a sign of territorial control. Noah’s crossing was more accurate at 50 percent, but Sion’s volume and repeated entries stressed the visitors enough to tilt the balance. Fouls further underlined the dynamic, with Noah whistled for 22 compared to Sion’s 9 as the away side often resorted to disrupting play.

Patterns of play and defensive work

Formations read 4-2-3-1 for Sion and 4-1-4-1 for Noah, and the double pivot for the hosts helped them recycle pressure and keep the ball moving. Passing totals were 470 for Sion against 426 for Noah, with accuracy 405 vs 338. Sion also outperformed in long-ball precision at 23 of 42, 55 percent, compared to Noah’s 25 of 64, 39 percent, which limited the visitors’ ability to bypass the press. Cross completion told a different tale, at 3 of 17 for Sion and 5 of 10 for Noah, yet the hosts did not rely on crossing for their two goals.

Defensively, Sion won 58 percent of all duels, including a striking 65 percent in the air. Interceptions were 8-5 to the home side, and they forced the game’s lone error leading to a shot from Noah’s back line. Noah led tackles 15-11 and clearances 24-19, which fits a pattern of defending their area for long spells. In goal, Dani Figueira made three saves, two of them classed as big saves, keeping Noah alive into the final minutes. Anthony Racioppi needed only two stops, which says more about Sion’s control than the keeper’s workload.

MVP watch: Baltazar, Sofascore Rating 8.4

Baltazar was named Player of the Match with a Sofascore Rating of 8.4, built on a strong two-way display and the decisive winner. He scored Sion’s second with a measured left-footed finish and was efficient with his shooting, recording two attempts and one on target. On the ball he completed 42 of 49 passes, splitting his work between halves effectively and keeping moves alive under pressure. He also drove play forward with 28 ball carries and a total progression of 88.4 metres, including 63.0 metres of progressive distance.

Off the ball, Baltazar chipped in with 2 tackles won, 2 interceptions, 3 clearances and 5 recoveries, the sort of complete midfield shift that locks down tight knockout ties. He won 10 of 15 duels, took four fouls, and still limited turnovers under pressure. The Brazilian did pick up a first-half yellow card for handball, but it did not dent his control of the game. In short, he influenced every phase, and his winner at 63 minutes swung both the match and the aggregate.

Supporting cast and close chasers

Ylyas Chouaref matched the top mark with an 8.4 Sofascore Rating, producing 3 key passes and a big chance created while winning 13 duels. He was a constant outlet on the flank and kept Noah’s full backs busy all night. Winsley Boteli Mokango posted a 7.9 after scoring the equaliser, taking four shots and adding 3 key passes despite two big chances missed. His movement across the line posed plenty of problems and created space for others.

Creator-in-chief in the final third, Rilind Nivokazi, finished on 7.2 but delivered both assists, plus 3 key passes and an additional big chance created. At the back, Marquinhos Cipriano’s 7.4 reflected tidy distribution and timing in duels on the left side. For Noah, captain Hélder Ferreira scored the penalty and logged a 7.0, while goalkeeper Dani Figueira was their standout with a 7.4 after three saves. Brian Oddei also impressed in his minutes with a 7.0, offering ball progression before being withdrawn.

What it means for Sion

With the 2-1 win on the night and a 4-3 aggregate, FC Sion move on from Qualification Round 3 of the UEFA Conference League. The second-half surge, the duel dominance and the superior final-third efficiency were the pillars of this comeback. The crowd at Tourbillon saw a mature response after trailing, and a midfield unit that managed the game once ahead. Sofascore will carry full player pages, heat maps and the match timeline for fans who want to dive even deeper into the numbers.