In a pulsating encounter at Portman Road, Bournemouth clawed back from the brink to claim a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town, thanks to a stoppage-time strike by Dango Ouattara.
The match delivered everything a football fan could hope for—goals, VAR drama, tactical masterstrokes, and emotional swings.
Ipswich started brightly, with Conor Chaplin opening the scoring in the 21st minute. Assisted by Cameron Burgess, Chaplin delivered a precise, low strike that rippled the net and sent the home crowd into raptures. The Tractor Boys appeared to be in control, combining swift transitions and solid defensive organization to stifle Bournemouth’s advances.
The match turned frenetic as Bournemouth searched for an equalizer. Marcus Tavernier rattled the post with a thunderous strike in the 28th minute, a moment that seemed to galvanize Andoni Iraola’s men. Despite several dangerous attempts, including a curling effort from Justin Kluivert that Arijanet Muric expertly smothered, Ipswich held firm.
VAR took center stage midway through the first half, denying Ipswich a second goal after Burgess was adjudged to have fouled in the build-up. This decision, along with another controversial non-penalty call on Justin Kluivert, set the tone for a tense and dramatic affair.
The second half saw Bournemouth push higher up the pitch. Lewis Cook and Antoine Semenyo tested Muric with well-struck shots, while Ipswich’s defense displayed resilience under mounting pressure. At the other end, Sammie Szmodics and Chaplin threatened to double Ipswich’s advantage but were thwarted by Bournemouth goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
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As the clock ticked into the final 20 minutes, substitutions brought fresh legs and energy. Iraola’s decision to introduce Enes Unal and Dango Ouattara proved pivotal. In the 89th minute, Unal found the back of the net, pouncing on a loose ball in the penalty area to level the score. However, the goal was briefly subjected to a VAR review for potential offside, leaving fans on edge before it was eventually confirmed.
With six minutes of stoppage time signaled, the game seemed destined for a draw until Ouattara delivered the decisive blow. In the 95th minute, the substitute capitalized on a moment of chaos in the Ipswich box, coolly slotting past Muric to complete Bournemouth’s comeback. The goal itself went under the VAR microscope for offside, but after another nerve-wracking review, it stood.
The closing moments saw Ipswich struggle to muster a response, their earlier energy depleted. Substitutions, including the introduction of Jens Cajuste and Ali Al-Hamadi, failed to swing the momentum back in their favor.
Bournemouth’s late heroics underscored their resilience and tactical adaptability under Iraola. For Ipswich, it was a bitter pill to swallow, as Kieran McKenna’s men saw a well-contested match slip through their fingers in the dying minutes.
This result moves Bournemouth closer to their targets, while Ipswich will rue missed opportunities and hope to bounce back in their next fixture. For the fans, it was a match to remember—a rollercoaster of emotions that exemplified the drama and unpredictability of football.
