Odisha FC Triumphs Over Bengaluru FC with Thrilling 4-2 Victory in ISL 2024-25

Odisha FC produced a thrilling 4-2 victory against Bengaluru FC at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25.

The Juggernauts dominated offensively, overwhelming Bengaluru FC and securing their third consecutive win against them at home. This victory reinforced Odisha FC’s attacking prowess and solidified their position in the league.

Early Dominance by Odisha FC

Odisha FC opened the scoring in the 10th minute through a brilliant combination between attacking partners Isak Vanlalruatfela and Jerry Mawihmingthanga.

As Odisha mounted an attack, both players made smart runs into the Bengaluru FC box. Isak played a perfect pass to Jerry, who finished coolly, putting the home side ahead.

Following this early goal, Odisha FC continued to apply pressure on the Bengaluru defence. The home team stretched the Blues’ backline with a series of set-pieces and corner kicks.

In the 27th minute, Mourtada Fall doubled the lead when he scored from an Ahmed Jahouh corner, making it 2-0. The offensive dominance continued as Diego Mauricio, the standout performer for Odisha, netted two fantastic solo goals.

Just before the halftime whistle, in the added time of the first half, Jerry Lalrinzuala passed the ball to Mauricio, who weaved his way into the box and hammered a powerful right-footed shot from the left side into the bottom right corner, giving Odisha a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.

Bengaluru FC Fights Back in the Second Half

The second half saw a more spirited response from Bengaluru FC, who managed to pull two goals back. Sunil Chhetri, Bengaluru’s talisman, scored his fifth goal of the season in the 52nd minute.

A well-placed cross from Ryan Williams found Chhetri, who expertly redirected it into the back of the net, briefly igniting hope for the visitors.

However, Odisha FC quickly restored their three-goal advantage. In the 60th minute, Mauricio struck again, this time showcasing his speed and composure. He broke through the Bengaluru FC defence and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 4-1.

Bengaluru FC did find a late consolation goal in the 88th minute when Edgar Mendez headed in a cross from Roshan Singh, narrowing the score to 4-2. But it was too little, too late, as the match concluded with Odisha securing all three points in this high-paced encounter.

Bengaluru FC’s Recent Struggles and Odisha FC’s Form

Bengaluru FC, after a series of disappointing results, had managed to bounce back in their previous match by defeating Mohammedan Sporting Club.

However, despite their best efforts, they were unable to overcome Odisha FC’s dominance in this fixture. Bengaluru FC, led by Sunil Chhetri, are still struggling in the league, currently sitting at the bottom of the ISL standings with just 20 points from nine matches.

Meanwhile, Odisha FC has been in impressive form, winning their last match 6-0 against Hyderabad FC. With three wins from nine games, the Juggernauts have accumulated 12 points and are currently ranked sixth in the league.

This strong performance has helped them stay competitive in the league, and they continue to build momentum.

Head-to-Head Record

In their previous encounters, Bengaluru FC has had the upper hand, leading the head-to-head record with seven victories over Odisha FC.

Odisha, however, has managed to defeat Bengaluru five times, with the remaining two matches ending in draws. The win on Sunday added another victory to Odisha’s tally, reducing the gap in their historical meetings.

Odisha FC’s thrilling 4-2 victory against Bengaluru FC at Kalinga Stadium highlighted their attacking strength and solidified their reputation as a formidable force in the ISL.

Bengaluru FC’s struggles continue as they remain at the bottom of the league table, despite a valiant effort in the second half. The Juggernauts, on the other hand, are gaining confidence with each win, and their attacking duo of Jerry and Mauricio continues to impress.

As the season progresses, both teams will look to improve their performances in the upcoming fixtures.