Top five highest-scoring games in the Indian Super League (ISL)

These games saw some of the best displays of attacking football in the league.

The Indian Super League (ISL), as a competition is tightly-contested between the clubs involved. There is often little to separate the teams during matches, which is why we see a lot of closely-fought games lacking in goals in the league. However, ISL has also been known for springing up surprises when one least expects it. During the relatively short seven-year history of the league, there have also been a few games where goals have been scored for fun. Without further ado, let us take a look at the top-five highest-scoring games in the ISL:

5. FC Goa 7 - 0 Mumbai City FC

While many ISL games have seen seven goals scored, this one is the pick of the bunch due to the manner in which FC Goa demolished their neighbours, Mumbai City FC. A game between these two sides is always hotly-contested, but never has the fixture seen such dominance by one side.

The Gaurs ran riot on November 17, 2015, in a match that saw Dudu Omagbemi and Thongkoisiem Haokip score hat-tricks while Reinaldo scored a late seventh, causing embarrassment to the Islanders and inflicting their heaviest defeat to-date.

4. Odisha FC 4 - 4 Kerala Blasters FC 

Odisha FC’s inaugural season had a lot of ups and downs. The team took time to find their rhythm under Josep Gombau and hit top gear in the second half of the season. Their matches always displayed good attacking football and their opponents in Kerala Blasters were there for the taking.

On February 23, 2020, the Juggernauts and the Yellow Army played out an eight goal draw which saw a hat-trick from Manuel Onwu, who found a new lease of life after moving from Bengaluru FC. The latter were eventually saved by Bartholomew Ogbeche’s two late penalty conversions.

3. Kerala Blasters FC 3 - 6 Chennaiyin FC

Contrary to popular belief, Chennaiyin FC can score a lot of goals, especially when their attackers are having a good day. The Blasters found themselves on the receiving end on one of those days, where everything that the Marina Machans touched turned to gold.

On February 1, 2020, the two outfits from the southern part of India were involved in a nine-goal thriller. The game saw Chennaiyin come out victors after scoring six goals against the Blasters. Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rafael Crivellaro and Nerijus Valskis all scored a brace each for CFC, while Ogbeche scored a sensational hat-trick for the losing side.

2. FC Goa 5 - 4 Chennaiyin FC

As mentioned earlier, Chennaiyin can score a lot of goals on the odd occasion, but they can also let in a lot of goals when their defence is exposed. FC Goa, being one of the most lethal teams in the history of the ISL, did just that back in the 2016-17 season.

The two outfits played out an entertaining game which saw a total of nine goals scored. For the Gaurs, Sahil Tavora and Rafael Coelho scored a brace each, while Jofre Mateu scored from 12 yards out. On the losing side, Jerry Lalrinzuala, John Arne Riise and Dudu found the net, while Gregory Arnolin scored an own-goal.

1. Odisha FC 6 - 5 SC East Bengal

The most recent ISL game between Odisha FC and SC East Bengal, which was also both teams' last league stage match of the 2020-21 season, saw 11 goals being scored. This was the first occasion when goals numbering in double digits went in a single game. 

Odisha’s biggest victory to-date saw a brace each from Paul Ramfangzauva and Jerry Mawihmingthanga, while Diego Mauricio and Lalhrezuala scored a goal each. Anthony Pilkington, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Aaron Amadi=Holloway (twice) and Ravi Kumar (own-goal) scored for the Red & Gold Brigade.

Interestingly, eight of the 11 goals were scored in the second half, perhaps by then the outfits had thrown caution to the wind.

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