Kolkata, April 16: In a high-voltage battle between East Bengal FC and Bengaluru FC in the ongoing Indian Super League, East Bengal FC snatched a point in a dramatic 3–3 draw at the last moment on Thursday evening at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The showdown had everything, controversy, cards, fights, a flurry of goals, and a crucial strike from Anton Sojberg, who scored his first in the red and gold shirt to seal an important point.

Ashique and Bengaluru FC players celebrating after Ashique's goal

Both halves were filled with intensity, with three goals coming in each half, and thrill unfolding with minutes. Within the first 12 minutes of the match, the visitors took the lead. Kuziev sent a through ball which Ashique received on the left, and from outside the box, he curled it into the net to give Bengaluru FC a 1–0 lead. But the lead didn’t last long, as in the 21st minute, from a corner by Miguel, the delivery reached the box where Jeakson headed it down, and Anwar finished it with a back volley, to eqilsed the Score 1–1.

The drama unfolded when the game was briefly stopped following an incident involving Ryan Williams, who fouled Edmund. As the referee did not respond, Edmund began protesting while play continued. Moments later, Bipin collided with Roshan Singh on the left flank, which sparked fights between both teams. Heated words were exchanged, reportedly involving Bengaluru’s assistant coach. The situation escalated when Miguel made illegal contact with the assistant coach, leading to a red card. As he left the pitch, Miguel kicked the ball into the Bengaluru dugout, adding further controversy to the incident. The entire situation left the match surrounded by controversy.

After the game resumed, within ten minutes Bengaluru FC took the lead. Ryan Williams attempted a shot from the right side outside the box, which Gill parried away, but the rebound fell into a dangerous area from where Suresh placed the ball into the net.

In the second half, the fire from the first half kept burning with the same intensity, with physical, body-contact football and more goals. In the 56th minute, Saul Crespo found the equaliser for the Red and Gold. Bipin passed the ball from the right to Saul, who attempted a shot that Gurpreet fist away. Chinglensana tried to clear it, but the ball fell back to Saul, who this time made no mistake and found the target.

The sequence continued with the flow of goals, and Ryan Williams restored the lead for Bengaluru FC in the 72nd minute. Following a goal-bound move, Williams, on the right inside the box, cut past Gill and placed a low shot towards the far post, making it 3–2 in favour of Bengaluru.

Rayan Williams celebrating after taking lead

But just when the game seemed to be going in favour of Bengaluru, substitute Anton Sojberg changed the course of the match. In the final minute, Anton scored his first goal for East Bengal, sealing a crucial point for the Red and Gold.

While Munoz Zoyo stated that it was a fair red card, Oscar claimed that the Bengaluru dugout had provoked Miguel with abusive language, suggesting the decision was unfair. Amid all the controversy and uncertainty, one thing remained clear, the match ended in a 3–3 draw, with both teams moving to 15 points after the game.

The match did not end with the final whistle, as it led to massive controversy. While there are calls for Miguel’s red card to be withdrawn, given claims that the Bengaluru FC assistant coach provoked him with abusive language, his act of kicking the ball into the Bengaluru dugout could still result in a multi-match ban. Towards the end of the game, East Bengal FC assistant coach Adrian Rubio was also shown a red card; however, his presence at the post-match press conference was noted by the match commissioner and could lead to a fine.

Overall, despite the thrilling football on display in the moment where the ongoing League in picked form the match will be remembered as much for its intense drama and controversy as for the action on the pitch.