I-League champion Chennai City FC stunned the ISL winner and defending champion, Bengaluru FC, 2-1 in the first quarterfinal of the Hero Super Cup at the Kalinga Stadium on Thursday.

Nestor Jesus Gordillo secured the lead early on in the first half before Pedro Manzi widened the margin in the second half. Sunil Chhetri scored the consolation goal for Bengaluru FC.

Chennai City looked more organised right from the start, attacking through the flanks. With its famed Spanish trio on the prowl, Chennai City’s first opportunity came in the 13th minute when playmaker Sandro Rodriguez burst into the Bengaluru box but failed to control his shot.

Two minutes later, Tarif Akhand essayed a long ball from deep inside the Chennai City territory and managed to find Nestor in the Bengaluru box. The wily Spaniard was further helped by a confusion between the Bengaluru defenders, Harmanjot Khabra and Rahul Bheke, who failed to clear the cross, allowing Nestor unhindered access to the goal.

Chances galore

The goal seemed to break BFC’s slumber. Its first chance came in the 20th minute but Spanish midfielder Xisco failed to beat Italian Mauro Boerchio in the Chennai City goal. Boerchio continued to be a thorn in BFC’s flesh, saving Miku’s long-range strike in the 25th minute and blocking Chhetri’s header from close range in the 40th.

Xisco missed another golden opportunity in the 47th minute as Bengaluru’s agony continued. To make matters worse, skipper Chhetri failed to beat Boerchio from the spot in the 52nd minute.

Even before BFC could recover, City doubled the advantage off the prolific Manzi. Released by Sandro at the top of the box, he curled the ball into the net past goalkeeper Gurpreet Sandhu in the 54th minute.

Though Chhetri redeemed himself when he rose above the Chennai City defence and nodded home a Dimas Morgado provision in the 65th minute, it proved too little too late.

The result (quarterfinals): Chennai City FC 2 (Nestor Gordillo 15, Pedro Manzi 54) bt Bengaluru FC 1 (Sunil Chhetri 65).