Bengaluru FC clinched their third Indian Super League (ISL) title in a dramatic fashion, defeating Kerala Blasters FC 2-1 in the final held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa. The victory was sealed in extra time, with a stunning goal from Sunil Chhetri, the captain and talisman of Bengaluru FC, who once again proved his mettle on the big stage.BZBET

The match, played in front of a packed stadium, was a closely contested affair from the start. Kerala Blasters, who were appearing in their third ISL final, drew first blood in the 32nd minute through a well-taken goal by Sahal Abdul Samad. The midfielder latched onto a cross from Adrian Luna and slotted the ball past the Bengaluru goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Bengaluru FC, however, responded with a relentless attack, pushing for an equalizer. Their persistence paid off in the 67th minute when Brazilian striker Cleiton Silva scored with a powerful header off a corner delivered by Udanta Singh. The match then headed into extra time as both teams failed to break the deadlock in regulation time.

The decisive moment came in the 112th minute when Sunil Chhetri, who had been relatively quiet throughout the match, produced a moment of magic. Receiving the ball just outside the box, Chhetri unleashed a curling shot that found the top corner, leaving Kerala’s goalkeeper Albino Gomes with no chance. The goal sent Bengaluru fans into a frenzy, and the team held on to their lead to lift the ISL trophy for the third time in their history.

Chhetri, who was named the Player of the Match, dedicated the victory to the fans and his teammates. “This title means a lot to us. We’ve been through a lot this season, and to come out on top is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with Bengaluru FC. The fans have been incredible, and this victory is for them,” said Chhetri.

Bengaluru FC’s head coach, Simon Grayson, praised his team’s resilience and determination, especially in the high-pressure environment of a final. “The boys showed great character to come back from a goal down. Sunil’s goal was world-class, and I’m proud of how the team responded to the challenge,” Grayson said.

The victory solidifies Bengaluru FC’s status as one of the most successful clubs in Indian football, and they will now set their sights on continuing their dominance in the upcoming seasons.