Kerala Blasters FC stole a last-gasp 2-1 win against Bengaluru FC in the 65th match of the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) Season at the GMC Bambolim Stadium in Goa.

After threatening in the opening exchanges, Kerala had their first clear-cut chance in the 18th minute when Jordan Murray’s shot from inside the box went over the bar. Minutes later, Sahal Abdul Samad’s threatening run into the box came to nothing.

Bengaluru promptly punished them for not making the most of their opportunities. The Kerala defence did not properly deal with Rahul Bheke’s long throw and it fell to Cleiton, whose sensational acrobatic volley gave Kerala keeper Albino Gomes no chance.

After the cooling break, Bengaluru FC could have scored another goal as Udanta Singh came up with a testing low cross but Costa got a crucial deflection.

They had another opportunity through a free-kick but Sunil Chhetri’s fine strike was well saved by Albino Gomes.

In the second half, Gary Hooper tried to set-up Sahal Abdul Samad for a shot but Suresh Singh Wangjam came up with yet another interception.

At the 73rd minute Bengaluru keeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu went down after using his body to block a powerful Gary Hooper shot from close range. With Gurpreet still on the ground, Sandeep Singh fired the ball back into the box. After a melee, the ball finally broke free for Puitea, who netted the equaliser.

After Bengaluru struck the post, a rapid counter-attack from saw Hooper release Rahul into the Bengaluru half. Despite it being 2-on-1 in his favour, he took the shot on and beat Gurpreet at his near post for a dramatic winner.

Kerala Blasters move up on the league table eclipsing East Bengal to the ninth position with 13 points from 12 games. Bengaluru, on the other hand, remained on the seventh position, same points as Kerala.