ISL: Bengaluru FC, FC Goa share spoils in 2-2 draw - Talking points

Bengaluru FC produced a late comeback to clinch a point after a 2-2 draw against FC Goa at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on Saturday.

The Blues have thus extended their unbeaten streak on their home turf to seven matches this season, winning five games and drawing twice.

Here are key talking points from the match:

FC Goa set up the tone with Jhingan scoring

For the initial 10 minutes, FC Goa attempted to set the tone for the match. They pressed high up, recovered possession, and earned set-pieces to assert their blueprint in the game. One such free-kick came their way in the seventh minute, when Dejan Drazic launched in a looping delivery from the right end of the field. Sandesh Jhingan, surrounded by a host of Bengaluru FC players, showed tremendous aerial ability to jump and head the ball into the bottom left corner from the centre of the box to open the scoring.

Bengaluru FC gain control

However, Bengaluru FC soon gained control over the game and began orchestrating the proceedings. The Blues’ offence was spearheaded by Sunil Chhetri, and high on confidence, the striker pulled off an ambitious attempt at goal from a fair distance outside of the box in the 14th minute. The precision on the shot was praiseworthy as it was directed straight at the bottom left corner before it was stopped by FC Goa custodian Hrithik Tiwari.

Sahil doubles up FC Goa's lead

Interestingly, despite Bengaluru FC’s repeated efforts to trouble FC Goa from distance, it was Sahil Tavora who notched a strike from outside of the box in the 66th minute to double the Gaurs’ lead. He pulled off a peach of a strike that landed straight into the top right corner and caught the Bengaluru FC backline off guard. The goal was a culmination of a brief passage where the visitors pushed against the run of play to create opportunities upfront.

Ryan Williams cut the deficit for Bengaluru

The Blues quickly struck back, as Williams cut the deficit in the 71st minute with a brilliant finish off a through ball by Vinith Venkatesh, who came on as a substitute for Harsh Patre in the 57th minute. Venkatesh made his presence felt by slicing through the FC Goa backline with a perfectly weighted delivery for Williams at the centre of the box, which was then netted into the centre of the goal by the latter.

Jorge Diaz levels the scoreline

Jorge Pereyra Diaz too came off the bench for Bengaluru FC in the 57th minute, replacing Méndez. His introduction added firepower in the final third for the home side, and the move paid off when he slotted home a timely pass by Roshan Singh in the 83rd minute to draw the scores level. Positioned right in the middle of the FC Goa box, Diaz broke no sweat in converting the opportunity, showcasing Bengaluru FC’s laudable squad depth too.