Maccabi Tel Aviv and Lugano played out a tense 1-1 draw in the UEFA Europa Conference League on 28 August 2026, a result that leaves the two-legged tie finely poised ahead of the return fixture. At a charged home ground, the Israeli champions took the lead through a well-crafted first-half move, only for the Swiss visitors to respond after the interval with a composed equaliser.

Match overview: A tale of two halves

The opening 45 minutes belonged largely to Maccabi Tel Aviv, who pressed high and moved the ball with purpose through the middle. Their attacking width caused Lugano constant problems, and the hosts deservedly broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark. A quick exchange on the right flank opened up the Swiss defence, and a low, first-time finish from inside the box gave the Lugano goalkeeper no chance.

Lugano, however, showed the resilience that has become their trademark under European lights. After a tactical adjustment at the break, the Super League side pushed higher up the pitch and started to win the second balls. Their equaliser came midway through the second half, as a neat combination on the left ended with a crisp strike from the edge of the area that arrowed into the bottom corner.

Key moments: Goals, saves, and late drama

• 27' – Maccabi Tel Aviv goal: A slick passing sequence cut through the Lugano midfield; the final pass was weighted perfectly for the run in behind, and the finish was clinical to make it 1-0.
• 38' – Lugano chance: The visitors' best moment of the first half came from a corner, but the header was brilliantly tipped over the bar by the Maccabi goalkeeper.
• 66' – Lugano equaliser: After sustained pressure, the ball was worked into space on the edge of the box, and the shot was driven low and true to restore parity.
• 84' – Maccabi response: The hosts pushed for a late winner, but the Lugano keeper produced a strong save from a powerful volley, preserving the draw.

Tactical story: Adjustments that changed the game

Maccabi Tel Aviv set up in an aggressive 4-3-3, looking to dominate possession and force Lugano into mistakes in their own third. The tactic worked for much of the first half, with the home side creating several half-chances before the breakthrough. Their full-backs pushed high, and the central midfielders rotated well to keep the Swiss midfield occupied.

Lugano arrived with a compact 4-2-3-1, happy to absorb pressure and exploit space on the counter. Yet after falling behind, they shifted to a more direct approach, with the wide players hugging the touchline and the number ten dropping into pockets of space. The equaliser came from exactly that pattern, and the final twenty minutes saw a more open contest as both teams chased a winner.

Standout performers

• Maccabi Tel Aviv's right winger: A constant menace in the first half, providing width, pace, and the assist for the opening goal. His dribbling forced Lugano's left-back into a booking.
• Lugano's central midfielder: Grew into the game after the interval, setting the tempo of the revival and spreading play effectively to both flanks. His passing was key to the equaliser.
• Maccabi goalkeeper: Made two excellent saves, one from a first-half header and another from a late free-kick, keeping his side on level terms.

What the result means

The 1-1 draw gives Lugano a slight advantage going into the second leg, thanks to the away goal, but Maccabi Tel Aviv will be encouraged by their first-half performance and the chances they created. The tie remains wide open, with the return fixture in Switzerland set to decide who advances to the next stage of the UEFA Europa Conference League. Maccabi will need to reproduce their early intensity while tightening up defensively, while Lugano will aim to use home support and the momentum from their second-half display to finish the job.