In an electrifying display of football dominance, Bengaluru FC continued their flawless run in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25, securing a convincing 3-0 win over Mohun Bagan Super Giant in Matchweek 3. The high-octane encounter unfolded at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on a vibrant Saturday evening, leaving the home fans elated and reaffirming Bengaluru’s position at the pinnacle of the league standings.
Bengaluru FC’s stellar performance was highlighted by goals from Edgar Mendez, Suresh Singh, and the iconic Sunil Chhetri, whose contributions ensured the team clinched maximum points from the fixture. With this win, Bengaluru FC has now amassed three victories from three matches, situating themselves at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan SG finds itself in sixth place, having recorded one win, one loss, and one draw so far this season.
From the first whistle, Bengaluru FC showcased their intent, pressing high and attacking with intent. The trio of Mendez, Chhetri, and Venkatesh orchestrated relentless pressure on the Mohun Bagan defense, setting the tone for an aggressive match. The Blues almost struck early when Vinith delivered a precise free-kick into the box in the fifth minute, but veteran defender Rahul Bheke’s header was comfortably saved by Mohun Bagan’s goalkeeper Vishal Kaith.
The breakthrough for Bengaluru came swiftly in the ninth minute. A well-executed corner kick found Nikhil Poojary in the box, who skillfully directed his header towards Edgar Mendez. The Spanish winger made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball past Kaith to open the scoring.
Bengaluru’s dominance was further established in the 20th minute. Edgar Mendez once again played a pivotal role, making a darting run down the right flank before delivering a perfectly weighted cross into the box. Veteran striker Sunil Chhetri brilliantly flicked the ball into the path of Suresh Singh, who unleashed a powerful shot, doubling Bengaluru’s lead.
Moments after their second goal, the Mariners’ defense was caught napping again when Chhetri dispossessed Apuia in midfield.
. Despite the turnover, Chhetri’s ambitious long-range effort was thwarted by Kaith, who made a commendable save to prevent further damage.
As the second half commenced, Bengaluru FC maintained their pressure and intensity, starving Mohun Bagan of meaningful possession and opportunities. The hosts’ third and final goal arrived in the 51st minute when Dippendu Biswas conceded a penalty by fouling Mendez in the box. Chhetri stepped up to take the spot-kick and coolly converted, marking his 64th goal in ISL history and solidifying his status as the league’s all-time top scorer.
Mohun Bagan, determined to salvage something from the match, made tactical changes, bringing on Jamie Maclaren in the 66th minute. While the Mariners created some opportunities, notably through Aldred and Cummings, their efforts were insufficient to seriously challenge Bengaluru’s goalkeeper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
The Mariners continued to push forward, but Bengaluru’s defense held firm, showcasing exceptional composure and organizational discipline. On the counter-attack, Suresh Singh almost found Sivasakthi Narayanan in the box, but a spectacular save by Kaith denied another goal and limited the damage for Mohun Bagan.
Sunil Chhetri was undoubtedly the man of the match, not only for his historic goal but also for his overall contribution. He adeptly set up Suresh Singh for the second goal and exhibited fantastic passing accuracy, completing 10 out of 16 attempts and creating two significant scoring opportunities.
Looking ahead, Bengaluru FC is set to face Mumbai City FC on October 2, as they seek to extend their unbeaten run. On the other hand, Mohun Bagan Super Giant will have to regroup quickly and focus on their upcoming match against Mohammedan Sporting Club in the highly anticipated Kolkata Derby on October 5.
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