Week 13 of the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2018-19 turned out to be a crucial one in the scheme of things. Five action-packed matches in the past week not only revealed the final top-four for the season but also presented fans with some brilliant football.

Here are all the results and highlights from the week gone by:

Match 81: NorthEast United FC 1-1 FC Pune City (Match Report)

Match 82: Bengaluru FC 3-0 FC Goa (Match Report)

Match 83: ATK 1-3 Mumbai City FC (Match Report)

Match 84: Chennaiyin FC 0-0 Jamshedpur FC (Match Report)

Match 85: FC Pune City 1-3 Delhi Dynamos FC (Match Report)

Mumbai, NorthEast clinch final two semi-final spots

With Bengaluru FC and FC Goa already having sealed qualification going into the week, the highlight was the five-horse race for the final two berths. NorthEast had the opportunity to seal their appointment in the semis on Wednesday with a win over FC Pune City, who were also in with an outside chance of making the top four. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, ending the Stallions' hopes and leaving the Highlanders to fight for it another day. However, Eelco Schattorie's men didn't have to wait till their final match as Chennaiyin FC did them a favour by holding another contender Jamshedpur FC to a goalless draw on Saturday. The Miners losing the points sent NorthEast through to the semi-finals for the first time in the club's history.

Mumbai, on the other hand, took a more hands-on approach to ensure their progression. Needing three points to ensure qualification, the Islanders rode a Modou Sougou hat-trick to crush the hopes of fellow contenders ATK and in the process, crossed the finish line with a match to spare.

Bengaluru prove their mettle

Thursday's encounter between Bengaluru and Goa had no bearing on the top four race but was an important one for both teams, especially for Bengaluru. After seeming almost invincible in the first half of the campaign, the Blues lost the plot a bit after the winter break, losing three of the five matches leading up to the encounter against a Goa team, who were on a six-match unbeaten run and had conceded just once in these outings. With the top spot in the standings up for grabs, the two locked horns in one of the most anticipated contests of the week. A first-half red card put the Blues on the backfoot. Keeping the Gaur's attack, arguably the best offensive unit in the Hero ISL over the past two seasons, at bay for over 45 minutes with a man down was not going to be an easy task. Carles Cuadrat's men, however, had no intention of playing defence despite their numerical disadvantage. Bengaluru took the game to Goa in the second-half and emerged 3-0 victors on the night. The victory over their potential title rivals, especially in the manner it came, will be a huge statement of intent from Bengaluru.

Delhi maintain their fine run

Despite starting the season on a poor note, Delhi are finally coming good albeit at a stage too late. The Dynamos have been unbeaten in their last six encounters, winning four of them in the process. Against a rejuvenated Pune side, the Lions once again prevailed with the help of impressive performances from the likes of Lallianzuala Chhangte and Romeo Fernandes. Heading into their final match of the season, Josep Gombau’s side will be hoping to leapfrog Pune and finish within the top six.

Related tags:

Jamshedpur FCBengaluru FCFC GoaMumbai City FCNorthEast United FCChennaiyin FC 2018-2019