NEUCHÂTEL, Switzerland (Interstat) — Aarau scored three times in the closing stages and stoppage time to earn a 3-1 victory over Xamax in Swiss competition play on Friday. David Acquah opened the scoring for Aarau in the 75th minute, Danie Afriyie added the second in the second minute of stoppage time, and Alexis Beka Beka completed the scoring in the third minute of stoppage time. Xamax’s only goal came from Eris Abedini, who played 68 minutes. The result moved Aarau’s competition record to 1 win and 2 losses, while Xamax’s competition record now stands at 1 win, 1 loss and 1 draw. Across all competitions, Aarau is 2 wins and 3 losses, and Xamax is 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw. Both sides have now played three competition matches this season, and each has played five matches across all competitions. Aarau secured the win at Stade de la Maladière after a tightly contested match that turned in the final quarter-hour.

The decisive stretch came after Abedini’s goal had put Xamax in front. Acquah leveled in the 75th minute, and Aarau then found two more goals in stoppage time. Afriyie’s finish in the second minute of stoppage time gave Aarau the lead, and Beka Beka’s goal in the third minute of stoppage time closed the match. Mohammed Guindo provided an assist while playing 13 minutes. Acquah and Afriyie each were on the field for 90 minutes and scored once. Beka Beka scored in a 34-minute appearance, and Abedini’s goal came in a 68-minute outing. The four goals came from Acquah, Afriyie, Beka Beka and Abedini. Aarau’s late pressure turned a one-goal deficit into a two-goal margin before the final whistle.

Aarau entered the match after a 2-1 loss to Etoile Carouge, a 2-0 win over Zurich, a 2-1 loss at Stade Nyonnais and a 2-1 loss to Young Boys. Xamax had drawn 0-0 at Lausanne Ouchy, won 3-2 at Langenthal, beaten Winterthur 3-0 and lost 2-1 at Sochaux. Both sides had shown uneven form across recent matches, and the contest remained balanced until Aarau’s late surge. The visitors’ three goals came in the closing stages, while Xamax could not protect its advantage after Abedini scored. The win gave Aarau its first competition victory of the season and left Xamax with a draw and a loss alongside its one win. The result also continued Aarau’s recent pattern of tight matches across all competitions.

Discipline and substitutions shaped the second half. Aarau’s Guzzo was booked in the sixth minute, and Bizzarri was cautioned in the 33rd. Xamax’s Unjanque received a yellow card in the 77th. Xamax made a halftime change with Carraco. Aarau replaced Bizzarri and Guzzo in the 56th minute. Xamax introduced Ambrose in the 60th and Peverelli in the 61st before replacing Abedini in the 68th. Aarau brought on Ndau and Senyurt in the 77th. Xamax used Gjorgjev in the 83rd, and Aarau brought on Koide in the 86th. The bookings and changes broke up play in the second half. The late substitutions added fresh legs as Aarau pushed for the winner and then protected its lead. Xamax’s final changes could not alter the score after Aarau moved ahead in stoppage time. The match produced four goals in total overall on the night.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Xamax 2, Aarau 1, and its ELO system had projected Xamax with a 70.5 percent probability to win. Aarau had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total of 4 finished above the over/under line of 3.5.