NorthEast United FC secured their first victory of the Indian Super League, ISL 2025-26 season with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Jamshedpur FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on Sunday.
Spanish midfielder Andy Rodríguez was the hero of the night, scoring twice in the second half to guide the Highlanders to a crucial three points.
The victory lifts NorthEast United to seventh place with six points, while Jamshedpur FC, who suffered their first defeat of the campaign, remain second in the standings with 12 points. Rodríguez was deservedly named Player of the Match after his decisive performance.
Evenly Balanced First Half
Both teams began the match with intensity, but the early stages saw a cautious approach as they looked to settle into rhythm. Possession changed hands frequently in midfield, with neither side able to create clear openings in the attacking third. The first notable moment came in the 13th minute, when Jamshedpur goalkeeper Albino Gomes rushed out of his penalty area to make a timely clearance, preventing a dangerous situation for the visitors.
Jamshedpur created the first genuine chance in the 19th minute. Forward Raphael Messi Bouli rose highest to meet a cross from Mohammed Sanan, but his header drifted narrowly wide of the post. NorthEast responded shortly afterwards when Macarton Nickson attempted a long-range effort, though Gomes was well positioned to gather the shot comfortably.
As the half progressed, the Highlanders began to show greater attacking intent. Parthib Gogoi was particularly lively, making a promising run toward the box before being brought down by defender Pratik Chaudhari in the 27th minute. The hosts were forced into an early substitution in the 39th minute when captain Míchel Zabaco suffered a hamstring injury and had to be replaced by Asheer Akhtar.
NorthEast nearly found the breakthrough just before halftime when Danny Meitei met a corner from Rodríguez with a header, but the effort sailed over the crossbar. The first half ended 0-0, with both teams still searching for the opening goal.
Photo: Surajit Sharma / Focus Sports / ISL
NorthEast United returned from the break with renewed purpose and began to push higher up the field. Their pressure paid off in the 53rd minute when Andy Rodríguez produced a moment of quality. The Spanish midfielder stepped up to take a free-kick just outside the penalty area and delivered a precise left-footed strike into the bottom-right corner, leaving Gomes with no chance and giving the Highlanders a deserved lead.
The goal injected fresh energy into the contest as Jamshedpur began to chase an equaliser.
Jamshedpur Fight Back
The visitors increased the tempo and created a few half-chances as they looked to respond. Nikola Stojanović and Rei Tachikawa both attempted efforts from distance, but neither shot troubled NorthEast goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh. Stojanović then forced Gurmeet into action in the 58th minute, as the visitors began to apply sustained pressure in search of the equaliser.
Their persistence was eventually rewarded in the 66th minute when Jamshedpur were awarded a penalty after Raphael Messi Bouli was brought down inside the box by defender Dinesh Singh. Bouli stepped up to take the spot kick and calmly converted in the 68th minute, sending Gurmeet the wrong way to level the match at 1-1.
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Jamshedpur’s equaliser barely had time to settle before NorthEast responded with another decisive moment. Just one minute later, Rodríguez collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that flew past Gomes and into the net.
The quick response restored NorthEast’s lead at 2-1 in the 69th minute, completing Rodríguez’s brace and putting the Highlanders back in control.
Jamshedpur refused to give up and continued to push forward in the final stages of the match. Bouli attempted a long-range effort in the 79th minute, but the shot drifted wide of the target. At the other end, NorthEast nearly extended their advantage when Ankith Padmanabhan fired a shot in the 85th minute, only for the effort to be blocked by the defence.
Substitute Thoi Singh came close to sealing the result in the 89th minute, but his strike from inside the box narrowly missed the target. Jamshedpur launched one final push during stoppage time, with Stojanović trying his luck from distance, but his attempt sailed wide.
Crucial Victory for the Highlanders
When the final whistle sounded, NorthEast United celebrated a 2-1 victory, marking their first win of the ISL 2025-26 season. Andy Rodríguez’s brace proved decisive on the night, highlighting the midfielder’s influence in attack and his ability to deliver in crucial moments.
For NorthEast United, the result provides a much-needed boost early in the campaign and could serve as a turning point as they look to build momentum in the weeks ahead. Meanwhile, Jamshedpur FC will aim to quickly regroup after suffering their first setback of the season.
