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FC Goa dismantle Mumbai City FC to keep ISL Shield race alive
posted in Match Report by FC Goa Official on 13th February 2025
posted in Match Report
by FC Goa Official
on 13th February 2025
FC Goa dismantle Mumbai City FC to keep ISL Shield race alive
The Mumbai Football Arena (MFA) wasn’t just the matchday venue for FC Goa on Wednesday night – it was their playground.
On the pitch, the Gaurs delivered a scintillating 3-1 victory over Mumbai City FC in a high-stakes Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 clash. In the stands, their travelling supporters turned the venue into a fortress of orange, drowning out the home crowd and celebrating a statement performance.
A dazzling brace from Iker Guarrotxena and a composed finish by Borja Herrera ensured the Gaurs walked away with all three points, while Lallianzuala Chhangte’s late penalty for the Islanders was a mere footnote in an otherwise dominant display by Manolo Marquez’s boys.
And as fate would have it, history had a sense of déjà vu. Exactly five years and 13 matches since FC Goa last defeated Mumbai, the “Men in Orange” – albeit in their striking wine and gold colours for this away clash – once again broke the reigning ISL Cup winners’ stranglehold over this fixture, fittingly, on the very same date they had triumphed back in 2020.
Guarrotxena weaves magic, Goa rewrite records
The game began with Mumbai City FC pressing high, feeding off their home crowd’s energy. In the 13th minute, a long ball from center-back Thaer Krouma found Vikram Partap Singh, who unleashed a fierce strike from a tight angle.
But Goa’s young shot-stopper Hrithik Tiwari, showing nerves of steel, produced a spectacular diving save – the first of many on a night he won’t soon forget.
The Gaurs, in turn, absorbed the early pressure and soon took charge. Their moment of brilliance arrived in the 24th minute when Udanta Singh, in sublime form, picked up the ball in the attacking third and sprinted forward before sending it across to Iker Guarrotxena on the opposite flank.
The moment the ball landed at Iker’s feet, a chorus of boos rang out from the Mumbai faithful – an echo of his past, having donned their colours last season. But the Spaniard thrived in the noise. Weaving past four defenders with breathtaking control, he carved open space before curling a stunning shot past two others and goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa into the bottom corner.
It wasn’t just a goal – it was a statement.
With that, FC Goa also etched their name into ISL history, becoming the first team to score in 20 consecutive matches, surpassing the previous record of 19 set by the Islanders themselves in the 2022-23 season.
Their second goal, just before halftime in the 41st minute, was another work of art. Udanta, electric down the right flank, combined seamlessly with Borja Herrera before delivering a pinpoint cross. Iker, sensing his moment, met it with a breathtaking half-volley for his fifth goal of the season, leaving Lachenpa no chance.
As the ball nestled into the net, the away section erupted, drowning out the stunned home fans. The MFA wasn’t just a stadium anymore – it was an ocean of orange, a celebration of Goan supremacy.
Borja seals the deal, Mumbai’s streak shattered
Mumbai City FC emerged from the break determined to claw their way back, pushing forward with intent. But Goa’s defensive unit, led by the rock-solid Odei Onaindia and Sandesh Jhingan, stood like an unbreakable wall. Tiwari, meanwhile, continued his heroics, denying the Islanders at every turn.
As Mumbai pushed forward desperately, their urgency led to costly mistakes. In the 64th minute, their defensive frailty was exposed once again. A wayward pass from Phurba Lachenpa fell straight to Udanta Singh, who wasted no time in whipping the ball back into the box. Under pressure, Mumbai’s Mehtab Singh attempted to control it with his chest, but his touch was too heavy, and the ball spilled into the path of Borja Herrera.
The Spaniard, charging in with intent, unleashed a thunderous strike past an onrushing Lachenpa, sealing the game in emphatic fashion. His celebration toward the jubilant away stand summed up the confidence in the Gaurs’ camp.
The Islanders did manage a late consolation, winning a penalty deep into stoppage time. Chhangte converted from the spot, but it barely dented the Gaurs’ celebrations.
Goa tighten grip on second place, Shield race stays alive
This defeat is more than just three dropped points for Mumbai – it is also a missed opportunity for Petr Kratky and co. to possibly climb up to third place and strengthen their chances of securing a playoff spot in the ISL Cup.
For FC Goa, the victory solidified their hold on second place, taking them five points clear of Jamshedpur FC currently in third. With 39 points from 20 matches, they remain in contention for the ISL League Shield, trailing leaders Mohun Bagan Super Giant by seven points and keeping the title race alive for at least another week.
With momentum on their side, Manolo Marquez’s boys will now set their sights on Kerala Blasters FC, as they return to Fatorda in ten days for their next assignment in the league.
