In a thrilling encounter in the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) season, Mumbai City FC held ATK Mohun Bagan SG to a hard-fought 2-2 draw at the Mumbai Football Arena. The result, which came on February 25, 2025, was a crucial one for both teams, but especially for Mumbai City, who strengthened their position in the race for the playoffs with a point against the league leaders. For Mohun Bagan, the draw meant they were unable to extend their dominance at the top of the table and had to settle for a point, which did not affect their qualification for the playoffs but was a minor setback in their quest for momentum ahead of the knockout rounds.
A Crucial Point for Mumbai City FC
Mumbai City FC, managed by Des Buckingham, entered this game in a precarious position. They had been inconsistent in recent weeks, and with the playoff race tightening, they were desperate for points to secure their spot in the top four. The 2-2 draw against the league leaders was a massive result for Mumbai as it not only gave them a valuable point but also kept them firmly in the playoff hunt.
Mumbai City’s attacking play has often been their strength, with Igor Angulo spearheading their attack. The Spanish striker, who has been in sensational form throughout the season, continued to showcase his poaching abilities, while Brazilian midfielder Rafael Crivellaro added creativity and vision to the team’s attacking play. However, despite their attacking prowess, Mumbai’s defense had been a cause for concern, and their ability to hold onto a lead, especially against top teams, had been questionable.
In this match, Mumbai showed resilience and determination. After falling behind to Mohun Bagan’s early goal, they bounced back, thanks to some quick counter-attacking football and clinical finishing. The fightback was led by none other than Angulo, who continued his remarkable form with a brace. Angulo’s ability to find space in the box and his composure in front of goal were critical to Mumbai’s hopes of securing a spot in the playoffs.
The result also kept Mumbai City on track for a top-four finish, but the team will know that they cannot afford to be complacent. While a draw against the league winners was a commendable result, they will need to secure maximum points from their remaining fixtures to avoid dropping out of the playoff spots. Nonetheless, this draw gave them confidence heading into the final stretch of the season.
ATK Mohun Bagan: A Missed Opportunity for Victory
On the other side, ATK Mohun Bagan, under the leadership of Juan Ferrando, were unable to capitalize on their dominant position in the league. With the league title already secured, the Mariners would have hoped to continue their impressive form and carry the momentum into the playoffs. However, despite taking an early lead, they were unable to maintain their advantage and were forced to settle for a draw.
Mohun Bagan, who have been known for their well-organized defense and attacking prowess, saw a combination of defensive lapses and Mumbai’s clinical finishing cost them the three points. The team had controlled large portions of the match but lacked the killer instinct when it mattered. Roy Krishna, who had been instrumental for the Mariners throughout the season, found the back of the net with a brilliant header to give Mohun Bagan an early lead, but defensive errors allowed Mumbai to get back into the game and level the scoreline. Krishna’s performance was another reminder of his quality, but the lack of support from his fellow attackers, particularly in the second half, meant that the team was unable to capitalize on their dominance.
The defense, led by Sandesh Jhingan and Tiri, has been one of Mohun Bagan’s strongest points this season, but they struggled against Mumbai’s pace and movement. Mumbai’s quick transitions caught Mohun Bagan off guard, and the Mariners’ inability to cope with Angulo’s clinical finishing was evident. Though they were able to equalize late in the game through Hugo Boumous’ sublime strike, the team will be disappointed with the result, as it was a missed opportunity to maintain a perfect record leading into the playoffs.
The Match: A Tale of Two Halves
The match began at a frenetic pace, with both teams looking to assert their dominance early on. Mohun Bagan took the initiative and grabbed the lead in the 19th minute when Roy Krishna scored a towering header from a brilliant cross by Hugo Boumous. The early goal was a reminder of Krishna’s aerial threat, and it seemed like Mohun Bagan were in control, dictating the tempo and pushing Mumbai onto the back foot.
However, Mumbai City responded quickly, showing their resilience and attacking intent. In the 33rd minute, they leveled the score through Igor Angulo, who latched onto a through ball from Rafael Crivellaro. Angulo’s cool finish past Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Amrinder Singh was a sign of his poaching instinct, and it sent the home fans into a frenzy. Mumbai’s ability to bounce back from conceding a goal was a testament to their character, and they would not let the league winners have it all their own way.
The second half saw both teams continue to press for a winner. Mohun Bagan, despite their defensive frailties, continued to control possession but struggled to break down Mumbai’s compact defense. On the other hand, Mumbai continued to look dangerous on the counter, with Angulo providing a constant threat in the final third.
As the game entered its final stages, Mumbai took the lead in the 71st minute. Angulo, once again, was the hero. He pounced on a defensive mistake from Mohun Bagan’s defense and made no mistake in finishing past Amrinder Singh. The goal was a classic striker’s finish, showcasing Angulo’s clinical edge. With this goal, Mumbai City had a crucial lead, but they were far from home yet.
Mohun Bagan, however, were not to be outdone. In the 85th minute, they equalized through a stunning strike from Boumous. The French midfielder, who had been one of the best players on the pitch, unleashed a rocket from outside the box that flew into the top corner, leaving Mumbai goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa with no chance. The goal was a moment of individual brilliance, and it sent the game into a thrilling final few minutes.
Despite both teams creating chances in the dying moments of the match, neither could find the winner, and the game ended in a 2-2 draw. The point was crucial for Mumbai, while Mohun Bagan would be disappointed to have let the win slip away.
Key Players
Igor Angulo (Mumbai City FC): The Spanish striker once again proved his worth, scoring both of Mumbai’s goals. His movement, composure, and finishing ability were crucial to the result, and his brace gave Mumbai a valuable point in the race for the playoffs.
Roy Krishna (ATK Mohun Bagan SG): The Fijian forward gave Mohun Bagan the lead with a powerful header and was a constant threat throughout the game. His aerial prowess and work rate were on full display, but his efforts ultimately weren’t enough to secure the three points.
Hugo Boumous (ATK Mohun Bagan SG): Boumous was one of the standout players on the field. His creativity and vision in midfield were critical to Mohun Bagan’s attacking play, and his stunning long-range strike was one of the goals of the season. However, his efforts weren’t enough to prevent a frustrating draw.
Implications for the Playoff Race
For Mumbai City FC, the 2-2 draw was a crucial result that kept them in contention for a playoff spot. With the competition for the top four heating up, Mumbai will now look to build on this point and secure more wins in their remaining fixtures. The fact that they were able to hold their own against the league leaders is a testament to their resilience and quality, and they will be confident going into their next few matches.
For Mohun Bagan, while the draw didn’t impact their playoff qualification, it was a missed opportunity to extend their winning streak and build momentum heading into the semifinals. Despite the result, the Mariners will know they are still the team to beat and will look to bounce back in their next fixture.
Conclusion
The 2-2 draw between Mumbai City FC and ATK Mohun Bagan SG was a thrilling encounter that had everything: early goals, moments of brilliance, and plenty of drama. Mumbai will be pleased with the point as they move closer to securing their playoff berth, while Mohun Bagan will be frustrated at not taking full advantage of their early dominance. As the season heads into its final stages, both teams will have plenty to play for, with Mumbai looking to secure a top-four finish and Mohun Bagan aiming to continue their unbeaten run and head into the playoffs with momentum.
