Kerala Blasters pulled off a stunning comeback victory at Sree Kanteerava Stadium. The away side silenced the home crowd with a brilliant second-half turnaround, winning 2-1 in this high-octane ISL encounter.
Bengaluru FC took an unlikely lead through an own goal before Brian Sanchez got a red card. Kerala then turned the tide completely, scoring twice through Victor Bertomeu and Francisco Feuillassier.
Starting Lineups
The playing 11 from both teams is as follows.
Bengaluru FC (4-3-3)
Bengaluru lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. GK: G. Singh Sandhu; Defenders: N. Poojari, R. Bheke, Chinglensana, N. Singh; Midfielders: S. Kuziev, B. Sanchez, A. Kuruniyan; Forwards: S. Wangjam, S. Chhetri, R. Williams.
Kerala Blasters FC (4-4-2)
Kerala Blasters played a 4-4-2 formation. GK: A. A. Shaikh; Defenders: M. Saheef, M. Hernandez, F. Ndiaye, B. Yumnam; Midfielders: V. Mohanan, D. Farooq, F. Lallawmawma, E. Yesudasan; Forwards: K. Yoke, V. Bertomeu.
First Half: Bengaluru Take the Lead Amid Controversy
Kerala Blasters defender Muhammed Saheef saw yellow in the 12th minute, putting his side under early pressure and allowing Bengaluru to assert themselves in a physical opening spell.
Bengaluru moved ahead in the 27th minute when Fallou Ndiaye inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, handing the hosts a fortunate 1-0 lead.
Soon after, Matias Hernandez was booked, further unsettling Kerala’s defense as tempers flared. The match shifted dramatically in the 35th minute when Brian Sanchez was sent off.
Despite the setback, Bengaluru led 1-0 at halftime. Kerala gained a numerical edge, and Karim Benarif replaced the booked Hernandez just before the break to stabilize matters.
Second Half: Kerala Blasters Turn the Game Around
Victor Bertomeu de la Hoz equalized in the 62nd minute, finishing calmly from E. Yesudasan’s assist and igniting celebrations, as Kerala Blasters capitalized on their numerical advantage.
Bengaluru responded with a bold change, substituting Sunil Chhetri for Monirul Molla. Kerala followed with key substitutions, introducing Muhammad Ajsal and later Francisco Feuillassier to reshape their attack.
The decisive moment came quickly when Francisco Feuillassier scored in the 79th minute, again assisted by Yesudasan, giving Kerala a 2-1 lead and completing a swift turnaround.
Late changes followed as Franchu was booked, while Bengaluru pushed forward unsuccessfully. Kerala stayed composed, adding Rowllin Borges in stoppage time and securing a memorable away victory.
Team Statistics Breakdown
The full match statistics are as follows.
| Bengaluru FC | Stat | Kerala Blasters |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Shots | 10 |
| 3 | Shots on Target | 4 |
| 45% | Possession | 55% |
| 5 | Fouls | 9 |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 3 |
| 1 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 2 | Offsides | 0 |
| 6 | Corners | 7 |
Key Talking Points
There is no doubt that Brian Sanchez’s red card in the 35th minute was the defining moment of this match. Bengaluru went into the break leading but effectively had to defend for the entire second half.
E. Yesudasan picked up assists for both Kerala’s goals in the second half. His contribution was vital in orchestrating the comeback. He was arguably the man of the match from the winning side.
Captain Sunil Chhetri was taken off in the 63rd minute, which raised eyebrows. His early exit highlighted how stretched Bengaluru were with 10 men trying to manage the physical demands of the match.
Francisco Feuillassier came on in the 74th minute and scored within five minutes. That is the kind of impact substitutes dream of making. His goal in the 79th minute proved to be the match-winner.
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Conclusion: Kerala Blasters Deserve Full Credit
Kerala Blasters fully deserved this victory. They were patient, disciplined, and ruthless when it mattered most. Scoring two goals in a 17-minute window against a stubborn Bengaluru defense was impressive.
Bengaluru FC will rue the Brian Sanchez red card. Playing with 10 men for more than half the match is an enormous mountain to climb. The hosts were brave but ultimately could not hold on.
This was a massive three points for Kerala Blasters in the ISL standings. The Yellow Army showed tremendous character to come from behind and snatch victory in the dying embers of this thrilling contest.
