On a sultry Wednesday evening under the floodlights, the Fatorda Stadium was buzzing with anticipation as Mumbai City FC faced off against FC Goa in the first leg of their Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 semifinal clash. The atmosphere was electric, with the crowd eagerly awaiting the start of the match.
The first half was a closely contested affair, with both teams creating chances but failing to find the back of the net. As the second half wore on, FC Goa began to assert their dominance, and they eventually took the lead through goals from Jorge Ortiz (55′) and Noah Sadaoui (70′).
With time running out, Mumbai City FC found themselves 2-0 down and staring at defeat. However, the Islanders refused to give up, and they mounted a remarkable comeback in the dying minutes of the match.
In the 90th minute, Mumbai City FC pulled one back through Lallianzuala Chhangte, who slotted home a pass from Jayesh Rane. Just a minute later, Vikram Partap Singh levelled the scores with a tap-in from close range.
As the clock ticked into injury time, Chhangte struck again, completing Mumbai City FC’s incredible comeback with a stunning strike from inside the box. The Fatorda Stadium erupted in a mix of shock and delight as Mumbai City FC secured a dramatic 3-2 victory.
The result gives Mumbai City FC a narrow one-goal advantage heading into the second leg of the semifinal, which will be played at the Mumbai Football Arena on April 29. FC Goa will need to produce a strong performance in the return fixture if they are to progress to the final.
Mumbai City FC’s comeback was a testament to their fighting spirit and belief. Despite falling behind, the Islanders never gave up, and they eventually got their reward. This result will give them a huge boost of confidence heading into the second leg, and they will be confident of completing the job at home.
FC Goa, on the other hand, will be disappointed with the result, but they will still believe that they can turn the tie around in the second leg. The Gaurs have a strong record at home, and they will be confident of putting in a good performance in front of their own fans. The second leg of the semifinal promises to be an exciting and closely contested affair, and it is sure to be a match that will live long in the memory of the fans.
