ISL 2020 Final, ATK vs Chennaiyin FC: As it happened

Javier Hernandez scored a brace as ATK beat Chennaiyin FC 3-1 in the final of the 2020 edition of the Indian Super League to lift a record third title in front of empty stands at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Saturday.

Image Credits: Twitter/@IndSuperLeague

Javi Hernández scored a brace as ATK beat Chennaiyin FC 3-1 in the final of the 2020 edition of the Indian Super League to lift a record third title in front of empty stands at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Saturday. 

Spanish midfielder Hernandez put his side ahead as early as in the 10th minute of the match with an excellent volley. Subsequently, striker David Williams passed the ball to winger Edu Garcia, who rolled the ball into the bottom corner to double the lead for ATK in the 47th minute.

In the 69th minute, forward Nerijus Valskis brought Chennaiyin FC back into the game by blasting the ball into the top corner to make it 1-2 against ATK before Hernandez scored his second goal in the stoppage time to ensure his side lift the trophy with a comfortable win. 

ATK booked their place in the summit showdown of the tournament after registering a comfortable 3-2 victory over Bengaluru FC in the second leg of the semi-final clash at the Salt Lake Stadium. The Kolkata outfit slumped to a 0-1 defeat in the first leg, but the second leg win saw them storm into the title decider with a 3-2 aggregate win over last season's champions.

Chennaiyin, on the other end, edged out FC Goa with a 6-5 aggregate win in the semi-finals to progress to the final. Though FC Goa clinched a 4-2 win over the Chennai-based franchise in the second leg, it was just not enough to overturn their 1-4 loss in the first leg last week. 

The final clash took place behind closed doors after the Health Ministry issued an advisory directing all federations and fans to avoid large gatherings in order to prevent the deadly COVID-19 pandemic from spreading.

Here are the highlights: 

14 March 2020

21:31 IST

ATK beat Chennaiyin 3-1 to lift 3rd ISL title!

@ATKFC are the #HeroISL 2019-20 CHAMPIONS #HeroISLFinal #LetsFootball #TrueLove pic.twitter.com/GfYxm1Vyzu

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020

21:28 IST

GOAL!!!! Hernandez scored another one for ATK. Pronay Halder passed the ball to Spaniard who tapped it into an empty net in the stoppage time to make it 3-1 against Chennaiyin FC.

21:24 IST

ATK just a few minutes away from lifting their third ISL trophy.

21:17 IST

Final substitution for ATK as Victor Mongil Adeva comes in for Armando Sosa Pena. 

21:14 IST

ATK had a chance to extend their lead when striker David Williams released Edu Garcia with a through ball in the 80th minute. However, Chennaiyin goalkeeper Vishal Kaith made a crucial save to ensure his side remain in the match. 

21:13 IST

Substitution for Chennaiyin FC. Dragos Firtulescu has been called up in place of retiring Andre Schembri.

21:01 IST

GOAL!! Forward Nerijus Valskis has brought Chennaiyin FC back into the game by blasting the ball into the top corner to make it 1-2 against ATK in the 69th minute. 

69' Cracker of a finish @NValskis blasts the ball into the top corner to bring @ChennaiyinFC back in the contest.

ATK 2-1 CFC#HeroISLFinal #HeroISL #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/mAPTUYTYFt

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020

20:53 IST

ATK's Michael Regin received a yellow card for a high boot straight on the shoulder of Edwin Vanspaul.

59' Yellow card for Regin for a high boot on @edwinsydney.

ATK 2-0 CFC#HeroISLFinal #HeroISL #LetsFootball

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020

20:48 IST

Chennaiyin FC are trying hard for their first goal. Midfielder Anirudh Thapa released a long ball for Rafael Crivellaro, who only managed to hit the ball straight to ATK goalkeeper Arindam Arindam. 

20:46 IST

ATK's Armando Sosa Pena received a yellow for his foul on Chennaiyin midfielder Rafael Crivellaro in the 51st minute of the final match.

20:41 IST

GOAL!!! ATK have moved closer to their record third ISL title after they doubled their lead over Chennaiyin FC after half-time. Striker David Williams passed the ball to winger Edu Garcia, who rolled the ball into the bottom corner for ATK's second goal in the 47th minute. It was the sixth goal for Garcia and first against Chennaiyin.

47' @Edu_Garcia90 doubles the lead for @ATKFC!@willo_15's through ball finds the Spaniard, who rolls the ball into the bottom corner.

ATK 2-0 CFC#HeroISLFinal #HeroISL #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/3CODRHZYxZ

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020

20:38 IST

Second-half resumes. 

20:30 IST

ATK have maintained their one-goal lead over Chennaiyin FC at half-time, thanks to Hernandez's early goal. Though they got plenty of chances to double their lead, Chennaiyin FC managed to deny them the same. However, the Kolkata-based franchise have lost Roy Krishna with the hamstring injury. 

A bittersweet first half for @ATKFC, who have the lead over @ChennaiyinFC but have lost @RoyKrishna21 to injury!#HeroISLFinal #HeroISL #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/s9HRN5Eppu

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020

20:21 IST

Substitution for ATK !! Roy Krishna was forced to walk off the field after pulling his hamstring. He is replaced by Mandi Sosa.

39' @RoyKrishna21 is unable to carry on due to an injury, and the @ATKFC top scorer tearfully leaves the field 

Mandi comes on to replace him.

ATK 1-0 CFC#HeroISLFinal #HeroISL #LetsFootball

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020

20:16 IST

A brilliant run from substitute Edwin Vanspaul, who sent a curling low cross for Nerijus Valskis. However, ATK goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharja dove to his right to save the goal. Chennaiyin then missed another chance to score a goal when Prabir Das' handball earned the side a free-kick.

20:08 IST

ATK missed at least four chances to double their lead. Roy Krishna breached Eli Sabia and Goian to hit the ball towards the net, but the Chennaiyin FC goalkeeper saved it successfully.  

20:04 IST

Chennaiyin have made the first change in the match in the 22nd minute. Germanpreet Singh, who received the first yellow card of the match, walked off the field after injuring his ankle. Edwin Vanspaul has been called up as his substitution. 

19:57 IST

Chennaiyin FC winger Lallianzuala Chhangte had a great chance to level the score for his side in the 20th minute of the match when he jumped and went for a header. However, the winger missed the target by a whisker. 

19:52 IST

ATK's right wing-back Prabir Das is showcasing a brilliant run of play, but Chennaiyin FC are defending well from the other end to avoid their opponent double their lead.

19:47 IST

GOAL!! Javi Hernandez gave the breakthrough to ATK with an excellent volley in the 10th minute. The 30-year-old Spaniard beat a diving Chennaiyin goalkeeper Vishal Kaith to draw the first blood for ATK. Hernandez scored his first goal after a good delivery from Roy Krishna.

19:44 IST

ATK received a free-kick in the sixth minute of the match. However, Francisco Hernandez missed a chance to put his side ahead after he managed to just hit at the Chennaiyin wall.

19:41 IST

Chennaiyin FC's Germanpreet Singh received a yellow card as early as in the fifth minute of the match when he brought down David Williams just outside the box. 

19:35 IST

Soon after the referee blew the whistle for the very first time, Chennaiyin FC came out swinging. The Chennai-based franchise made a superb start to the final clash by bringing the ball into the penalty area of ATK inside 40 seconds. Midfielder Rafael Crivellaro got a chance to hit the ball on target, but the shot was stopped by the last man with a header. 

19:31 IST

The two sides have walked down the field for their national anthems. 

19:06 IST

ATK are going into the summit showdown with the same squad that defeated defending champions Bengaluru FC in the second-led of the semi-final. Chennauiyin boss Owen Coyle, on the other hand, have made one change in their playing XI. Germanpreet Singh has been called up in the midfield in place of Edwin Vanspaul.

19:04 IST

Just a half an hour to go for the ISL final between ATK and Chennaiyin FC.

Half an hour to go for the #HeroISLFinal

Which colour will shine brighter tonight? #HeroISL #LetsFootball #TrueLove pic.twitter.com/OImPKwQsUf

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020

18:52 IST

Lineups: 

TEAM SHEETS 

Here's how @ATKFC and @ChennaiyinFC line up for the 2019-20 #HeroISLFinal#HeroISL #LetsFootball #TrueLove pic.twitter.com/DVWpLAH1W5

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020

18:51 IST

In case ATK manage to seal a record-breaking third title, Antonio Lopez Habas will become the first coach in the history of the tournament to guide a side to two ISL trophies.

18:48 IST

A look at the last five meetings between the two sides:

February 2020 – Chennaiyin FC beat ATK 3-1

October 2019 – ATK edge past Chennaiyin FC 1-0

December 2018 – ATK beat Chennaiyin 3-2

October 2018 – ATK clinch 2-1 win over Chennaiyin 

January 2018 – Chennaiyin FC seal narrow 2-1 win against ATK

18:46 IST

Chennaiyin FC coach Owen Coyle talks about the mentality and preparation of the player ahead of the ISL final match against ATK in Goa. 

 | @ChennaiyinFC head coach Owen Coyle discusses team mentality, their preparation and more in an exclusive interview ahead of the #HeroISLFinal.#HeroISL #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/IfX7jrVXM5

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020

18:45 IST

Chennaiyin FC forward Andre Schembri is set to bid adieu to the game following the ISL final.

.@andreschembri27 is set for his last bow!

Can the @ChennaiyinFC forward bid goodbye to the beautiful game with another  in the bag and a #HeroISL winner's medal around his neck?#HeroISLFinal #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/By8X3iGuM6

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020