Bengaluru FC team celebrate after win against FC Goa during the semifinal match at Sri Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
Credit: DH Photo/BK Janardhan
Bengaluru: Coach Manolo Marquez had become a taboo in Bengaluru over the last five years but the hoodoo surrounding him was crushed when Bengaluru FC beat FC Goa to take a 2-0 lead in the home leg of the Indian Super League semifinal here at the Sree Kanteerava stadium on Wednesday.
Bengaluru finally broke the five-year, 10-game jinx in front of a packed, trumpet-blowing, drums-beating 19,223-strong stadium.
The hosts started on a fiery note and continued to press forward in hopes of carving out goal-scoring opportunities.
The constant pressure paid off in the 42nd minute when FC Goa went behind after Sandesh Jhingan put the ball into his own net from a curled Mendez ball.
Seven minutes into the second half, Namgyal Bhutia, racing through the right, floated a ball into the box that was picked out by the on-song Mendez, who finished it fiercely past the goalkeeper to double the Blues’ lead.
Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza made just one change to the starting XI that dispatched Mumbai City FC 5-0, with Vineet Venkatesh making way for Sivasakthi Narayanan.
The cool-headed Alberto Noguera played a beautiful ball into the box but failed to find Mendez that left Bengaluru frustrated.
However, the momentum seemed to be with the hosts and was then converted to a forward movement as Hrithik Tiwari produced a save to deny Pedro Capo moments before the Spaniard headed it to the right of the keeper when unmarked in front of goal.
Williams should have put Bengaluru out of sight when served by a beauty with just the keeper to beat but was unable to beat Hrithik.
After doubling their lead, Zaragoza substituted in Sunil Chhetri and Pereyra Diaz for Sivasakti and Mendez.
A slightly frustrated-looking Marquez also introduced his subs -- Dejan Drazic, Ayush Dev Chhetri and Armando Sadiku.
The visitors started to push forward but Bengaluru, with captain Rahul Bheke with his usual calming influence gradually began to exert some serious authority.
Eventually, Zaragoza’s side showed the clinical edge that allowed them to take a crucial 2-0 lead and will now fly to Fatorda hoping to make the ISL final. The second leg of the semifinal will be played in Goa on April 6
Results: Bengaluru FC: 2 (Sandesh Jhingan 42nd OG, Edgar Mendez 52nd) bt FC Goa: 0.