Stade Payerne and FC Naters trade goals in spectacular 3-3 Swiss Division 2 draw
Fans at the Stade Communal were treated to a six-goal spectacle as Stade Payerne and FC Naters shared the points in a thrilling 3-3 draw in the Swiss Division 2 League on 16 August 2026. The match swung back and forth, with three lead changes and no shortage of drama until the final whistle.
An open, attacking start
Both sides came out with the intent to attack, and it made for an entertaining opening quarter of an hour. FC Naters opened the scoring after only eight minutes with a well-placed shot from the edge of the area. Stade Payerne responded quickly, equalising through a header from a corner just minutes later. The home side then pushed forward and took the lead for the first time with a close-range finish after a goalmouth scramble. But the momentum shifted again before the interval as Naters equalised right on half-time, sending the teams level at 2-2.
A second half with more twists
The second half followed a similar pattern. Naters edged ahead early on with a stunning free-kick, and they looked like they might hold on for an away win. However, Stade Payerne refused to lose, throwing bodies forward and eventually finding a deserved equaliser with ten minutes remaining. The final stages were tense, with both sides pushing for a winner. Naters hit the post deep into stoppage time, but the score stayed 3-3.
Five moments that mattered
- 1-0 (8'): Naters strike from range catches the keeper off guard.
- 1-1 (15'): Payerne's centre-back rises highest at a corner.
- 2-1 (33'): A scramble in the box ends with a tap-in for the hosts.
- 2-2 (45'): Naters break quickly to score on the stroke of half-time.
- 2-3 (55'): A curling free-kick puts the visitors in front.
- 3-3 (80'): Payerne's substitute converts from a tight angle to level again.
What the result means
The draw does little to separate the two teams from the congested middle section of the Swiss Division 2 table. Stade Payerne will be pleased with their character and attacking intent, but they may look back on defensive errors that cost them all three points. FC Naters, meanwhile, will wonder how they failed to win after taking the lead twice. Still, for the neutrals, this was one of the games of the season so far.