Chennai, Nov 2: Substitute Leo Costa scored a screamer just two minutes from time as Mumbai City FC rescued a point against Chennaiyin FC with a 1-1 draw in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament here on Wednesday.
Jeje Lalpekhlua's second-half strike seemed like it would be enough for Chennaiyin FC to edge past Mumbai City FC and move joint top alongside Atletico de Kolkata at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The veteran Uruguayan striker made space for himself just outside the box and let go of a powerful shot which Chennaiyin FC goalkeeper Duwayne Kerr did well to tip over for a corner.
Chennaiyin FC had their noses in front in the second session. Peluso's corner-kick should have been cleared by the Mumbai defence.
But two defenders simply watched and another one missed the flight of the ball, allowing Jeje space to head the ball past the goalkeeper in the 51st minute.
The defending champions should have killed the match in the 72nd minute but Dudu Omagbemi missed from close range.
Jeje had shown remarkable composure to win the ball, hold onto it and then slide it for Dudu who could not beat the onrushing goalkeeper.
Mumbai City made the best use of that let-off and found the equaliser in the 88th minute. Leo Costa took the ball from about 25 yards out and launched a powerful left-footer which found the top corner of the net, past a diving Kerr.
IANS