Bengaluru FC secured a 2-0 victory against FC Goa at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in the first leg of their semi-final clash in the Indian Super League 2024-25 season on Wednesday. As a result, Bengaluru FC now holds a strong 2-0 lead on aggregate heading into the second leg. Although they had only 42.2% possession, they made their chances count with five shots on target.
First Half: Bengaluru Takes the Lead
At first, FC Goa looked dangerous in the 27th minute. Odei Onaindia controlled a free kick inside Bengaluru’s box and sent a header to Udanta Singh. Udanta quickly attempted a chip shot, but a defender blocked it near the goal.
Just a few minutes later, Bengaluru FC responded. Ryan Williams found space on the opposite end and had the option to cross. However, since no teammate was in position, he went for a looping shot, which missed the target.
Finally, Bengaluru broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute. Edgar Mendez delivered a dangerous cross into the box. The ball was meant for Williams, but FC Goa’s Sandesh Jhingan accidentally deflected it into his own net. Consequently, Bengaluru FC took a crucial 1-0 lead before halftime.
Second Half: Mendez Doubles Bengaluru’s Advantage
Right after the break, Bengaluru struck again. In the 51st minute, Williams played a sharp pass through FC Goa’s defense to Namgyal Bhutia. Without hesitation, Bhutia sent a low cross to Mendez, who easily tapped the ball into the bottom right corner. With this goal, Bengaluru doubled their lead and strengthened their position.
FC Goa Tries but Fails to Score
As the game progressed, FC Goa pushed harder for a goal. In the 76th minute, Aakash Sangwan sent in a precise cross to Onaindia. Unfortunately, the defender misjudged his header and sent it over the goal.
Soon after, in the 83rd minute, Boris Singh created another chance. He received a pass from Iker Guarrotxena and immediately aimed for the top right corner. However, Bengaluru’s goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu reacted quickly and made a brilliant save. As a result, FC Goa failed to find the back of the net.
Best Player
Edgar Mendez (Bengaluru FC) played a vital role in Bengaluru’s victory. He constantly threatened FC Goa’s defense, provided dangerous crosses, and scored a crucial goal. Additionally, he contributed defensively with an important tackle.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, both teams will meet again for the second leg on April 6. This time, FC Goa will play at home, hoping to overturn the deficit. Meanwhile, Bengaluru FC will aim to defend their lead and secure a place in the final.