Fcgoa hosted Bengaluru FC in the second leg of the semi-final. A very controversial match.

Goa were determined to turn the tides around and they were righteously doing so.

The game was underway with Goa completely dominating.

The gaurs were putting pressure from all sides to reduce the 2 goal deficit but bengaluru were cautious.

They created multiple chances but were unable to deliver it.

The score was still 0-2 aggregate. The next 45 mins were pure cinema.

Borja Herrera reduced the goal difference from a wonderful direct free kick.

The shot couldn’t have been stopped by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
This goal kept them back in the game and kept the final hopes alive.

Gurpreet saved multiple close range chances which could have been an equaliser for the Gaurs.

What happened next stunned not only the players but also every single person watching that game.

Dejan Drazic scored what looked like the equalizer. A perfect finish—only to be flagged offside. Replays showed it clearly: he was onside. The referee refused to reverse the decision.

And that wasn’t all. A foul on Iker Guarrotxena inside the box went unpunished. A clear handball was ignored. Goa were denied not once, but multiple times. Why even have referees if moments like these go unpunished?

Despite the setbacks, the Gaurs kept pushing. Their efforts finally paid off when Armando Sadiku scored the equalizer, sparking hope across Fatorda.

It finally felt like the semi-final curse was broken—until Sunil Chhetri crushed those dreams just minutes later.
An amazing diving goal kept Bengalurus isl final dreams alive.

The What-Ifs:

• What if Drazic’s goal had stood?
• What if the penalty was given?
• What if ISL had better refereeing standards?

Ten years, and still no VAR. Still no change. How long will this continue?

Goa may be out, but this semi-final will be talked about for years—for both the football and the flaws that marred it.