Czech midfielder Pavel Elias struck a stunner to help Delhi Dynamos halt Atletico de Kolkata's two-match winning run as both teams settled for a point each after a thrilling 1-1 draw in their Indian Super League match in Kolkata, on Sunday.
Barcelona's youth system product, Jofre Mateu, gave the home franchise a 49th-minute lead, but Dynamos brilliantly bounced back through Elias in the 73rd minute to give the visiting side its first point.
The scoreline may suggest otherwise but the match was full of intensity and Italian World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero narrowly avoided a red card after an intense scuffle with Kolkata players.
There was a clash between the players when Del Piero brought down Denzil Franco with his left-foot in an outrageous challenge. The Kolkata players surrounded the iconic Juventus star and even pushed him but he escaped punishment.
The home side had its share of run-ins as well, resulting in their second red card in as many games when Rakesh Masih picked up a second yellow in the 88th minute.
Masih's substitution in place of Kolkata's marquee player Luis Garcia, who pulled a hamstring muscle at the break, gave Dynamos the edge and they bounced back.
The action was reserved for the second half as Jofre converted a penalty with ease, drilling the ball low to the left of the 6 feet 10 inch Kristof Van Hout to put Kolkata ahead.
Jofre showed his presence of mind to convert the first penalty of the ISL that came after Wim Raymakers pulled Fikru's jersey to bring the Ethiopian down in the second half.
If the giant Van Hout impressed in the first-half standing tall under the bar, the goal also exposed his vulnerability to collect low strikes as Kolkata looked to double their lead in front of a packed 60,000 roaring supporters.
Dynamos were constantly under pressure as the duo of Jofre and Fikru up front kept the defenders on vigil.
But against the run of play Elias shocked the home crowd, scoring with a 23-yard long ranger after Del Piero put in the cross.
