Javi Hernandez delivered a moment of magic in second-half stoppage time to hand Jamshedpur FC a dramatic 2-1 victory over Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the first leg of the Indian Super League 2024-25 semifinal on Thursday at the JRD Tata Sports Complex.
In a match filled with intensity and high-stakes drama, it was the veteran midfielder’s cool finish in the 91st minute that lit up the packed stadium and left JFC with a slender advantage heading into the return leg in Kolkata on April 7.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 24th minute through Javier Siverio, who made the most of a smart headed pass from towering centre-back Stephen Eze. The Nigerian defender rose above his marker inside the penalty box and nodded the ball down for Siverio, who calmly slotted it into the bottom right corner to send the home crowd into raptures.
But Mohun Bagan responded with intent, nearly leveling the game just minutes later when Greg Stewart linked up with Alberto Rodriguez. The Spanish defender rattled the crossbar with a powerful effort that had goalkeeper TP Rehenesh well beaten.
Their persistence paid off in the 37th minute, when Jason Cummings showcased his set-piece prowess. The Australian striker stepped up to take a free kick and curled a magnificent left-footed shot into the top right corner, restoring parity and swinging momentum back in Mohun Bagan’s favor.
The visitors continued to press in the second half, with Stewart missing a clear chance in the 51st minute after receiving a deft pass from Anirudh Thapa. Another opportunity fell to Rodriguez just before the hour mark, but he misdirected a dangerous delivery from Liston Colaco wide of the target.
Despite facing relentless pressure, Jamshedpur’s resilience at the back held firm. The breakthrough came during a swift counter-attack in added time. A fluid sequence of passes ripped open Mohun Bagan’s defensive shape, culminating in Ritwik Das slipping a clever ball to Hernandez in the heart of the box. The 35-year-old Spaniard made no mistake, firing home a low shot to seal the win.
It was a poetic moment for Hernandez, who had also scored off a Ritwik assist in the playoff stage, continuing his knack for late heroics.
With the win, JFC inches closer to a historic first-ever ISL Cup final appearance, while Mohun Bagan will look to bounce back in the high-stakes return leg at the Salt Lake Stadium.
