FC Goa kept pace with their rivals for a top-four spot with a clinical 3-1 victory over Odisha FC in an Indian Super League game here on Wednesday. Goals from Alberto Noguera (18th min) and Jorge Ortiz (26th min) gave Goa an early lead to the Gaurs before Diego Mauricio (30th min) pulled one back for Odisha. Ivan Gonzalez (75th minute) then put the result beyond doubt.

The victory pushed Goa up to fourth with 27 points, same as Hyderabad FC in third and one point ahead of NorthEast United in fifth. The result also knocks out SC East Bengal from a mathematical chance at the play-offs. FC Goa's first goal was an exemplary display of team effort. A clever through ball from mid-field set Gonzalez free down the left and his curling cross was headed in past Odisha keeper Arshdeep Singh by the onrushing Noguera. Daniel Lalhlimpuia wasted a chance to bring Odisha back on an even keel, and they soon paid for that missed opportunity. Eight minutes after they had taken the lead, Goa went two up through a blistering counter-attack.