Throughout the course of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 season, a staggering tally of 345 goals were scored, with an average of 2.95 goals per game, highlighting another entertaining campaign. The 2022-23 season witnessed a total of just five goalless draws this season, with three of them coming during the league stage, with teams showing the knack for scoring goals.

With fans returning back to the stadiums after two Hero ISL seasons in the bio-bubble, spectators were treated with plenty of memorable footballing moments, edge-of-the-seat thrillers, and some incredibly stunning goals.

With another action-packed Hero ISL season coming to an end, we have handpicked the best goals from the season:

Adrian Luna vs Jamshedpur FC

Qualifying for the playoffs for a second successive season, Kerala Blasters FC have played some good football throughout the season. Luna’s goal after a well-worked team move back in January during their 3-1 win against Jamshedpur FC, showed how efficient the Blasters can be with their ball-play when they are at their best.

Luna was at the heart of it all, initiating the move before finishing off in style. He traded a one-two with Sahal Abdul Samad before passing the ball to Dimitrios Diamantakos. Diamantakos then backheeled it towards Apostolos Giannou, who made another backheel pass. The ball rolled perfectly into the path of Luna, who beat the keeper with ease, as the crowd in Kochi went into a frenzy of excitement. 

Lallianzuala Chhangte vs Chennaiyin FC

Mumbai City FC winger Chhangte had his best season in terms of goal contributions in this campaign, contributing 10 goals and six assists as his side won the League Shield. Chhangte was also rewarded with the Hero of the League award. And some of his goals this campaign were of pure quality including the one against his former side, Chennaiyin FC.

Mourtada Fall received the ball from a diagonal free-kick delivery and flicked it across the face of goal. Positioned outside the box was Chhangte, who controlled the ball with his left foot, before moving it on to his weaker foot and volleying it into the top corner. His goal proved to be crucial as it helped the Islanders record a 2-1 comeback victory in the end.

Abdenasser El Khayati vs Jamshedpur FC

El Khayati featured in only 12 games for Chennaiyin FC all season, but had a hand in 14 goal contributions, with nine goals and five assists. The attacking midfielder’s campaign was hampered by injuries, but when on the pitch, he let his feet do the talking.

The Dutch-Moroccan midfielder – making his Hero ISL debut this season – showed what he was capable of with a mesmerising solo goal which came during Chennaiyin FC’s 3-1 home win against Jamshedpur FC. Julius Duker put El Khayati through on goal and what followed moments later was a stunning individual goal. The midfielder burst forward and sat both the defender and the keeper down with some brilliant footwork before slotting the ball into the back of the net.

Greg Stewart vs FC Goa

Stewart scored some stunning free-kicks last campaign while establishing himself as Jamshedpur FC’s talisman. He played a massive part in helping Jamshedpur FC lift the League Winners Shield last season, while bagging the Hero of the League award.

While Stewart couldn’t replicate the same numbers from last season at his new club, his free-kick against FC Goa in Matchweek 20 served as a timely reminder of how lethal he can be from set-pieces. His goal against FC Goa was similar to the free-kick he scored against Kerala Blasters FC last season. Stewart curled the ball around the wall and the ball hit the inside of the woodwork before sneaking into the net. Even FC Goa keeper Dheeraj Singh had little time to react and couldn’t have done much about that.

Parthib Gogoi vs Chennaiyin FC

Despite what has been a forgettable campaign for NorthEast United FC, youngster Parthib Gogoi has been one of the finds of the season. The forward had a breakthrough Hero ISL season, contributing three goals and an assist for the Highlanders.

Gogoi is a sweet striker of the ball and has also scored goals from outside the box this campaign. But by far, his best goal from the season has to be the one against Chennaiyin FC in NorthEast United FC’s last match of the season. Gogoi found himself in yards of spaces outside the box and struck the ball with venom. The ball swerved and dipped, leaving the keeper with no chance.

Ivan Kaliuzhnyi vs FC Goa

Ivan Kaliuzhnyi announced himself to Indian football with a stunning brace off the bench as Kerala Blasters FC beat East Bengal FC 3-1 in the Hero ISL 2022-23 season opener. Kaliuzhnyi scored two stunning individual goals in that game, one after a solo run from the halfway line followed by an unbelievable long-range strike.

The crowd in Kochi was treated to another golazo from the big man against FC Goa as the Blasters FC recorded a 3-1 win in Matchweek six. Around 30 yards away from the goal, Kaliuzhnyi had ample time and space. He unleashed a powerful strike that swerved and made its way into the top corner. There was little Dheeraj could do with the speed that the ball travelled.

Borja Herrera vs Chennaiyin FC

Herrera had a standout season, chipping in with four goals and five assists and helping Hyderabad FC reach the semi-finals. He has been one of the standout passers in the team under head coach Manolo Marquez, but the midfielder also displayed that he can find the net with precision, going by the goals he scored this season.

During Hyderabad FC’s away game against Chennaiyin FC, Herrera wrapped up the game for his side with a thunderbolt strike. Chennaiyin FC failed to clear their lines and Herrera received the ball with his back towards goal. He made a quick turn and volleyed the ball with accuracy into the top corner.

“That has to be a contender for the goal of the season without any fear or contradiction. That is the sweetest strike you’ll ever see in your life,” said Phil Brown in commentary. And very few will disagree with that statement.

Dimitri Petratos vs Bengaluru FC

Petratos has been the focal point of attack for ATK Mohun Bagan this season. The Australian had a memorable campaign, playing a massive part in his side’s Hero ISL triumph while missing out on the Hero ISL Golden Boot award by a whisker.

The Australian spearheaded the attack with some important goals, and few of them have been simply sensational, including the one against Bengaluru FC in Matchweek nine. Petratos received the ball just outside the box before changing direction and creating space for himself. He drilled a low shot towards the bottom corner and hit it with so much power that even a full-stretch dive from Bengaluru FC custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu couldn’t prevent the ball from going in.

Mohammad Yasir vs East Bengal FC

Hyderabad FC midfielder Mohammad Yasir had a season to remember, after his most productive Hero ISL season. The attacking midfielder ended the campaign with seven goal contributions, three more than last season’s tally.

The youngster grew with confidence game by game this season and showed more desire and hunger to get goals. However, his goal against East Bengal FC in Matchweek 12 was the most difficult one among the ones he netted. Yasir, not the tallest compared to his peers, leapt high and coolly chested the ball before jumping high again and slicing a volley into the top corner. All East Bengal FC keeper Kamaljit Singh could do was just watch.

Cleiton Silva vs Bengaluru FC

Silva led the way for East Bengal FC with his goalscoring exploits, finishing the season with 12 goals and an assist. He accounted for more than half of the goals scored by the team, with East Bengal FC scoring 22 goals all season. And on many occasions this season, the Brazilian single-handedly won games for his side.

When East Bengal FC hosted Bengaluru FC in Matchweek 13, it was Silva once again who emerged as the hero for his side after a late winner in injury time. East Bengal FC had won a free-kick from distance and Silva stepped up. His free-kick dipped over the wall and nestled right into the top corner. No keeper in the world would have saved that, let alone Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. What made the goal even more memorable was that it led to East Bengal FC’s first home win of the season.

Notable mentions:

Pedro Martin vs Kerala Blasters FC; Ivan Kaliuzhnyi vs East Bengal FC; Iker Guarrotxena vs East Bengal FC; Jake Jervis vs NorthEast United FC; Isak Vanlalruatfela vs Hyderabad FC; Daniel Chima Chukwu vs Kerala Blasters FC; Diego Mauricio vs FC Goa.

Related tags:

Abdenasser El Khayati2022-2023 Adrian LunaIvan KaliuzhnyiDiego MauricioCleiton SilvaMohammad YasirLallianzuala ChhangteGreg StewartDimitrios Petratos