ISL 2026-27 – Chiki’s late equaliser salvages draw for FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC

Christian ‘Chiki’ Borrego celebrates scoring the equaliser against Chennaiyin FC in their Indian Super League match in Fatorda. | Photo Credit: ISL Media

FC Goa (FCG) and Chennaiyin FC (CFC) scored a great goal each as the two teams played out a 1-1 draw in their Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 match at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa on Saturday.

The first half failed to inspire chances from either side as both teams lacked the creativity to create clear-cut spaces.

However, CFC was more progressive with the ball, while pressing higher off the ball. It made it tough for the Gaurs to push the ball up, having to opt for long balls over the midfield or trying to work it through the channels.

Both defences had players put their bodies on the line whenever the ball was crossed in. The weather conditions and the cooling break refused to let either team build any sort of momentum as the match swung from one side to another.

CFC’s goalkeeper and captain Mohammad Nawaz made a great save with his foot in the 57th minute to thwart Goa’s Spanish No. 9 Christian ‘Chiki’ Borrego Isabel to keep the game level.

The game was demanding a special moment in the second half.

And Irfan Yadav provided just that — CFC’s right-back Namgyal Bhutia played the ball through to Irfan, who controlled the ball right outside the box and smashed it into the far top corner.

The Gaurs stepped up their intensity immediately after Marina Machans’ striker Ramon Tanque gave up a clumsy foul in his own half. FCG’s left-back, Aakash Sangwan, stepped up to get the ball and put in a peach of a delivery, to which Chiki climbed up the highest to head it into the bottom corner.

FCG’s next challenge will be at the continental level when it hosts Tajik club Regar-TadAZ in the group stage of AFC Challenge League on October 17. Meanwhile, CFC will travel to Bengaluru on the same day for its next ISL fixture.

The result: FC Goa 1 (Chiki 75’) drew with Chennayin FC 1 (Irfan 63’)