ISL 2018-19, NorthEast United FC 2-1 Bengaluru FC: 5 Talking Points

#1 Juan Cruz Mascia: The Injury time man

Mascia scored the penalty in the dying embers of the game (Image Courtesy: ISL)

Need a goal in injury time? Juan Cruz Mascia is the man to call. The Uruguayan striker has three goals this season, and all three have come at the dying moments of the game.

The trend started off in the home game of NorthEast United FC against Kerala Blasters FC where Mascia won a penalty and scored another through a volley to give the Highlanders an unbelievable comeback victory.

His second goal came away to FC Pune City again during the dying embers of the game.

Today though was the best of the lot.

First Mascia was the player who won the penalty, and then he managed to keep a calm, cool head to score with the last kick of the game to give NorthEast United a much-deserved victory against Bengaluru FC.

He will also be remembered as the player whose goal got NorthEast United FC their first victory over Bengaluru FC.

Mascia has always played second fiddle to Ogbeche this season, but he will be looking to take a more active role in the most crucial phase of the tournament as the skipper is out injured.

Defenders have a lot of problems dealing with his physical presence and speed. His understanding with Gallego, who happens to be from the same country as Mascia, is also something that can be of great help for NorthEast United FC in the return leg of the semi-final.