FC Goa secured their first win of the Indian Super League 2025–26 season with a composed 2–0 victory over Mohammedan Sporting Club at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Friday.
The result provisionally lifted the Gaurs to the top of the standings with four points from two matches, while Mohammedan SC remain in search of their first goal after two outings.
The visitors made an immediate impact, taking the lead as early as the fourth minute. A well-delivered outswinging corner from Dejan Dražić found Pol Moreno unmarked inside the box, and the defender rose highest to power a header beyond goalkeeper Subhajit Bhattacharjee. The early breakthrough allowed FC Goa to settle into their rhythm and assert control over proceedings through sustained possession in midfield.
Goa nearly doubled their advantage soon after through a fluid attacking move. Boris Singh delivered an inviting cross into the area, where Brison Fernandes met it with a diving header. The effort beat the goalkeeper but crashed against the upright, sparing the hosts from conceding a second goal inside the opening quarter.
Photo: Dipayan Bose /Focus Sports/ ISL
Despite Goa’s dominance in possession, Mohammedan SC continued to pose a threat on the counter-attack, attempting to exploit spaces left behind by the visitors’ advancing full-backs. However, the home side struggled to translate their transitions into clear-cut opportunities.
FC Goa eventually extended their lead in the 32nd minute following a foul inside the penalty area. Udanta Singh was brought down by Bhattacharjee, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Dražić stepped up to take the penalty and calmly slotted the ball into the net, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 2–0. The Gaurs maintained their composure for the remainder of the half and had opportunities to further stretch their advantage, but a lack of clinical finishing ensured the scoreline remained unchanged at the interval.
In response, Mohammedan SC head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo introduced Md. Fardin Ali Molla, Makan Winkle Chothe, and Lalngaihsaka at the start of the second half in an attempt to inject urgency into the side’s play. The changes provided added energy and attacking impetus, though Hrithik Tiwari in the Goa goal was rarely troubled.
Goa continued to create openings as the match progressed. Muhammed Nemil embarked on a surging run through the Mohammedan defence before finding Udanta Singh at the far post, but the winger’s attempt was blocked by Sajad Hussain Parray. The defender was once again called into action moments later, rising to clear a Moreno header from a corner.
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Nemil remained influential in the attacking third and tested Bhattacharjee with a well-directed header after finding space at the far post. Minutes later, Brison Fernandes failed to keep his effort down after being set up by Moreno from a set-piece routine.
Mohammedan SC’s best chance of the game came in the 72nd minute. A clever backheel from Fardin Ali Molla released substitute Lalthankima down the left flank. The winger advanced into the box after evading Sandesh Jhingan and delivered a cutback to Mahitosh Roy, whose close-range effort was denied by a sharp save from Tiwari. The rebound fell to Chothe, but he was unable to convert from six yards out, sending his shot over the crossbar.
Both teams fashioned half-chances in the closing stages, but neither could apply the finishing touch. Boris Singh fired over after being picked out by Mohammed Yasir, while at the other end, Fardin Ali Molla failed to make decisive contact on a square ball from Lalthankima under pressure from Jhingan.
In the end, the two-goal cushion proved sufficient as FC Goa managed the remainder of the contest effectively to secure all three points. Pol Moreno, whose early goal set the tone for the evening, was adjudged the Player of the Match for his performance.
