AIFF Super Cup 2025-26: Blandon goal gives Rajasthan an upset win over Mumbai City and blows Group D wide open

The I-League’s Rajasthan United (RUFC) left Mumbai City (MCFC) red-faced, handing the Indian Super League (ISL) heavyweights a 0-1 defeat in their AIFF Super Cup Group D match at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Monday.

RUFC’s new signing Robinson Blandon scored the winner, with RUFC becoming the first Second Division side to win a match in this edition of the tournament.

MCFC, who came into the match on the back of a 4-1 win over Sporting Club Delhi, planned early attacks through set pieces. They almost scored in the 13th minute when a cross from Lallianzuala Chhangte caused chaos in the RUFC box.

Bhabindra Malla Thakuri, the RUFC goalkeeper, intercepted the cross but failed to get it. Before MCFC players could get on the end of the loose ball, Blandon came to the rescue by clearing the ball out of danger.

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But then RUFC ran the show with physical football: body checks, heavy tackles and more push-pulls, features more common in the I-League than the ISL. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective.

In the first half alone there were fifteen fouls and three yellow cards, two of which were shown to RUFC players, PP Shafeel and Abdul Samed Ango.

Vikrant Sharma, the RUFC coach, had read his opposition well. Mumbai City played in a 4-4-2 shape, which was reflected in strong wide play in both attack and defense. And Sharma’s side worked, the ISL side trying to exploit the space in the middle while drawing the opponents to the flanks.

The best execution of this tactic produced the goal: Pangambam Naoba Meitei dragged the ball down the left flank into MCFC’s half before setting up an unmarked Blandon in the middle, outside the penalty area.

And the Colombian executed the final shot perfectly, finding the bottom right corner before the end of the first half. RUFC decisively saw the lead and caused a major disruption in the tournament.

RUFC’s victory leaves three teams interested in the only semi-final spot in this group.

Published on November 3, 2025