East Bengal FC faced a distressing defeat at home tonight in the Indian Super League 2024-25 as the visitors Mumbai City FC snatched a 3-2 victory following an exhilarating ninety minutes of football.

FT: EBFC 2⃣-3⃣ MCFC

A 𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗪 in Kolkata 🤩🩵#EBFCMCFC #ISL #AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/cro6OpiJTx
— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) January 6, 2025

Mumbai captain Chhangte opened the scoring as Nikos Karelis extended the lead, but East Bengal pulled off two goals to level the scoreline. However, a bad defensive error led to a second goal from Karelis that ensured all three points for the Islanders.

Dominating first-half display from Mumbai City FC

Vikram Pratap Singh started to test East Bengal defenders from the very first minute; being caught offside three times in just six minutes into the game. The Mumbai forward also attempted for a goal in the third minute, but his header from the box soared over the crossbar.

In the 27th minute, Bipin Singh found himself open in front of the goal, but East Bengal's Spanish defender Hector Yuste made a commendable goal-line block to deny Bipin's header. The Islanders produced a wave of scoring opportunities but they had to wait until the 39th minute to find the opening goal.

Mumbai's midfield general Brandon Fernandes extended a defence-splitting through pass to perfectly find captain Lallianzuala Chhangte running toward the goal, who calmly finished the job with a right-footed strike from the left that rolled inside through the left-bottom corner.

The visiting side quickly found another goal in the 43rd minute. Nikos Karelis followed a ball from Yoell Van Nieff as he made a great anticipation inside the box before unleashing a grounded strike. East Bengal keeper Prabhsukhan Gill stopped the strike, but the second ball was easily fired inside by Karelis.

East Bengal skipper Cleiton Silva attempted a volleyed strike in the second minute of the added time but it remained unfruitful as Rehenesh had no trouble in stopping the poor strike.

#TheIslanders lead the first half with a 2 goal cushion 😌

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— JioCinema (@JioCinema) January 6, 2025

East Bengal pulled off two goals to turn the game around

The second-half unfolded even more dramatic instances that led the game to a thrilling finish. Naorem Mahesh Singh and Nishu Kumar came off the bench for East Bengal to empower their attacking opportunities to salvage their opening goal.

Prabhsukhan Gill made another well-executed stop in the 56th minute to deny Karelis' strike in an open 1 vs 1 situation. However, Diamantakos and co. had a couple of chances to convert but they failed to do so until the 66th minute.

Naorem Mahesh attempted a strike on target from inside the box which was quickly denied by Rehenesh, but the second ball brought strange consequences. The rebound was anticipated by PV Vishnu before Sahil Panwar tackled Diamantakos to deny him an attempt. However, Vishnu delivered a grounded strike inside the box, and Sahil slotted the ball into his own side's net.

Sahil Panwar scores... but in the wrong net 😢

Watch #EBFCMCFC, LIVE on #JioCinema, #StarSports3, and #Sports18-3! 👈#ISLonJioCinema #ISLonSports18 #JioCinemaSports #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/sWkWJTHsT0
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) January 6, 2025

After getting the breakthrough in an uncanny manner, East Bengal elevated their firepower in search of the equalizer. The coveted second goal came in the 83rd minute for East Bengal as David Lalhlansanga netted the ball home with a lofted left-footed finesse from inside the box.

A goal sealed with finesse! ✨

Watch #EBFCMCFC, LIVE on #JioCinema, #StarSports3, and #Sports18-3! 👈#ISLonJioCinema #ISLonSports18 #JioCinemaSports #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/HIpoCoR7zp
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) January 6, 2025

A defensive error costed East Bengal the game

A disastrous defensive error took the points from East Bengal. In the 87th minute, Hijazi Maher failed to intercept a ball in front of the box and it ended up in a running Karelis' feet. The Greek striker powerfully chipped the ball out of Gill's reach to finish the job for the Islanders.

Mumbai cha hero Karelis 🔥

Keep watching #ISL, LIVE on #JioCinema, #StarSports3, and #Sports18-3! 👈#ISLonJioCinema #ISLonSports18 #JioCinemaSports #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/Fr3btUxVbB
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) January 6, 2025

East Bengal managed some chances in the injury time as well, but Mumbai's defence stayed alert to scrap the dangers, as East Bengal fell to the eighth defeat this season.

Mumbai City FC has climbed to the fifth position of the league table with 23 points earned in 14 matches so far. On the contrary, East Bengal has dropped to the 11th position, having garnered 14 points in 14 matches.

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