Kalinga Super Cup: Iker Guarrotxena's Hat-Trick Sends FC Goa Past Gokulam Kerala FC

Key Takeaways

Iker Guarrotxena scored a hat-trick for FC Goa.
FC Goa controlled the match with superior possession.
Gokulam Kerala struggled to match the pace of their opponents.
The match featured a penalty awarded to FC Goa.
FC Goa now advances to the quarter-finals of the tournament.

Bhubaneswar, April 21 (NationPress) The Spanish striker Iker Guarrotxena stole the spotlight as FC Goa advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Kalinga Super Cup with a dominant 3-0 win over Gokulam Kerala FC at the Kalinga Stadium.

Guarrotxena (23’ p, 35’, 71’) achieved a remarkable hat-trick, scoring twice in the first half and again after halftime, ensuring the Gaurs kicked off their Super Cup journey in style.

Having secured a second-place finish in the ISL standings this season, FC Goa entered the playoffs with optimism but faced a heart-wrenching semi-final defeat against Bengaluru FC, thanks to a last-minute goal from Sunil Chhetri. Conversely, Gokulam Kerala entered this matchup after a challenging I-League season, where they remained in the title race until the final moments.

Despite expectations for a closely contested match, FC Goa quickly established dominance. They controlled possession, set the pace, and crafted numerous scoring chances, while Gokulam Kerala struggled to find their footing and match the ISL side's intensity and organization.

The first breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Dejan Drazic was fouled in the box by Salam Ranjan Singh, leading the referee to award a penalty. Guarrotxena stepped up confidently, sending Shibinraj Kunniyil the wrong way to give FC Goa the lead.

Just 12 minutes later, the lead doubled. Aakash Sangwan made a powerful run down the left and delivered a pinpoint cross into the danger zone, where Guarrotxena expertly timed his run to slot the ball home with ease.

Gokulam Kerala appeared more determined in the second half, gaining possession and posing a greater threat. They even hit the crossbar but saw their momentum cut short midway through the half.

In the 71st minute, FC Goa sealed the match with a polished passing sequence that ended with Guarrotxena receiving a perfectly placed ball inside the box. With commendable composure, the Spaniard completed his hat-trick, calmly finding the back of the net to make it 3-0.

FC Goa's defense, expertly organized, ensured no mistakes were made as they comfortably managed the remainder of the match, securing their spot in the quarter-finals.