ISL 2024-25: Borja Herrera Nets Hat-trick as 10-man FC Goa Pip East Bengal FC 3-2

FC Goa pipped East Bengal FC 3-2 in the 2024-25 Indian Super League at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Friday.

Borja Herrera’s hat trick trumped strikes from Madih Talal and David Lalhlansanga as the Gaurs got all three points against the Torchbearer despite being down to ten men.

Dejan Drazic had a golden chance to hand the visitors the lead in the second minute of the game when a cross-field lofted pass from Brison Fernandes was brought down somehow by Boris Singh and in turn passed onto Dejan Drazic. His shot though was blocked by Debjit Majumder.

East Bengal’s ‘makeshift’ line-up looked out of positions in the opening exchanges, providing the ‘Gaurs’ multiple chances to take the lead.

Drazic and Borja Herrera had their shots from outside the box blocked as FC Goa players had plenty of space in mid-field despite East Bengal packing that particular area.

FC Goa did take the lead in the 13th minute as Drazic sent in a blazing cross after a fast break. Goalkeeper Debjit did manage to get a hand to the ball but he ended up palming it straight into the path of Borja, who calmly pushed the ball into the back of the net. Being a former player, Borja decided not to celebrate his goal against East Bengal.

It did not take long for Borja or FC Goa to double their lead. Boris did well to chase down a long ball that looked comfortably under Hijazi Maher but the East Bengal defender surrendered possession. A cutback from the right resulted in another easy tap-in for Borja in the 20th minute. The second strike didn’t need any such compulsions.

East Bengal got a goal back in the 29th minute as Madih Talal was brought down inside the penalty box by Aakash Sangwan as the Frenchman stepped up to slot it past Laximikanth Kattimani.

As the half strolled to its end, there were plenty of yellow cards flashed by the referee as either team wanted to wrestle control of the middle of the field.

After the restart, Borja tried an outrageous attempt from the halfway circle as he saw Debjit off his line. The effort hit the roof of the net in the end though.

Carles Cuadrat made some changes to his side, bringing on younger and fresher legs in attack. It was Hijazi though who made the mistake again in defence for East Bengal.

After a brilliant through ball from Udanta, Borja swivelled past a defender to slot the ball into the top corner to complete his hat-trick and restore FC Goa’s two-goal advantage in the 71st minute.

With the game seemingly won, Carl Mchugh was given his marching orders for his second yellow card in the 81st minute.

East Bengal eventually made the advantage count as David Lalhlansanga smashed a goal in the 85th minute after an Anwar Ali shot from distance was parried by Kattimani. The ‘Go Back Cuadrat’ chants turned into that for ‘East Bengal’.

As time ran out for East Bengal’s comeback, the fans renewed their chants for their manager to leave.