ISL 2025-26: Sporting Club Delhi fights back from two goals down to keep Mumbai City FC at 2-2

In a spirited second-half comeback, Sporting Club Delhi recovered from a two-goal deficit to win a 2-2 draw against Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday.

The Islanders remain fourth in the standings for the time being with eight points, while SC Delhi recorded its first point of the campaign after four games. Matija Babović was named Player of the Match.

Mumbai made the perfect start and took the lead within the first five minutes. Akash Mishra launched a long throw from the left flank that the Delhi defense failed to clear, and Jorge Pereyra Díaz reacted quickest by heading the loose ball into the bottom right corner from close range in the third minute, putting the Islanders 1–0 ahead.

Delhi seemed to respond quickly. Midfielder Mohammed Amin saw an effort blocked from distance in the fifth minute, before he shot narrowly wide again ten minutes later. However, Mumbai doubled their lead in the 17th minute through a well-executed attacking move. Brandon Fernandes put a precise pass into Noufal’s path on the left, and the winger produced a clinical right-footed finish into the top corner to make it 2-0.

Both sides continued to press forward in search of further goals but missed the finishing touch in the attacking third. Babović attempted an attempt from the penalty area in the 34th minute, but sent his shot over the crossbar.

ALSO READ: AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 – India coach Valverde vows to fight till the end

Delhi pulled a goal back deep into stoppage time of the first half. Mumbai goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa failed to clear a free kick, allowing Rafael Ribeiro to set up Manoj Mohammad on the edge of the penalty area. The left back fired a powerful shot into the bottom left corner in the extra minute and reduced the deficit to 2-1 before half time.

The visitor started the second half energetically, retaining possession and limiting Mumbai’s attacking options. Delhi’s right-back Alex Saji headed wide from a cross in the 66th minute, while substitute Devendra Murgaokar also fired a header wide five minutes later.

Mumbai came close to restoring its two-goal cushion in the 73rd minute when Mishra’s header from a Fernandes cross was comfortably saved by SC Delhi goalkeeper Nora Fernandes.

However, Delhi found the equalizer moments later. Babović produced an impressive run through the Mumbai defense before calmly finishing from close range to make the score 2–2.

The match started in the closing stages with both sides looking for a winner. Lihat juga bghg. Franklin Nazareth fired wide from range for Mumbai in the 78th minute, while Zothanpuia saw his long-range effort blocked ten minutes later.

Delhi almost snatched the win deep into stoppage time when Devendra Murgaokar met a Ramhlunchhunga cross but his header drifted wide of the target.

Published on March 8, 2026