Mumbai City FC sealed their place in the semi-finals of the AIFF Super Cup 2025–26 after a dramatic 1-0 win over Kerala Blasters at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.
In a tense and tightly fought Group D decider, an unfortunate 88th-minute own goal by Freddy Lallawmawma handed the Islanders a narrow victory and a ticket to the next round, ending Kerala’s campaign in heartbreak. It was a contest that lived up to its billing intense, physical, and loaded with stakes. Both teams went into the fixture knowing that qualification was on the line: Kerala Blasters needed just a draw to progress, while Mumbai City had to win, preferably by a clear margin. What followed was a battle of attrition, where patience, composure, and a slice of fortune decided the outcome.
Mumbai City started on the front foot, pressing high and dictating possession through the midfield pairing of Lalnuntluanga Bawitlung and Zothanpuia. Their early intent nearly paid off when Jorge Ortiz wriggled into the box and fired just over the bar. On the other end, Kerala Blasters relied on Adrian Luna’s creativity and Tiago Alves’ sharp runs to threaten the Mumbai backline.
In the 10th minute, Koldo Obieta tested Mumbai keeper Phurba Lachenpa with a low drive from a narrow angle, while Luna’s cross moments later almost found Alves, whose shot whistled past the far post. The Blasters looked dangerous on transitions, but Mumbai gradually regained control, probing patiently and forcing Kerala deeper into their half.
The game’s first flashpoint came in the 29th minute when Sandeep Singh was booked for a cynical foul on Zothanpuia. It foreshadowed a moment of madness that would later haunt Kerala. As the first half wound down, Vikram Partap Singh tried to burst through the middle, only to be tugged back by Sandeep, who received a second yellow card. The referee had no hesitation Kerala Blasters were down to 10 men just before half-time.
The red card shifted the balance decisively. From that point, Mumbai City had numerical superiority and ample time to make it count.
Blasters Hold Firm, But Mumbai Keep Knocking
Kerala, despite being a man down, showed remarkable resilience. Coach Ivan Catala reshuffled his defensive structure, bringing on Aibanbha Dohling to reinforce the backline. The Blasters relied on Luna’s leadership to maintain shape, while Noah Sadaoui and Korou Singh worked tirelessly to relieve pressure with occasional counters. Mumbai, meanwhile, struggled to make their advantage count. Their attacks lacked precision, with Lallianzuala Chhangte and Ortiz often isolated in the final third. Jorge Pereyra Díaz, playing as the focal point, was well contained by Kerala’s compact defensive line.
In the 61st minute, Petr Kratky decided to inject fresh energy, introducing Brandon Fernandes and Jon Toral, hoping for creativity against a tiring Kerala defence. The changes added urgency, but still no breakthrough. Kerala almost stunned Mumbai in the 64th minute when Luna attempted a spectacular bicycle kick that flew over the bar, underlining the tension on both sides.
As the match entered its final stretch, Mumbai City turned up the pressure. Kerala’s players began to tire visibly, defending deep and relying solely on long clearances. Ortiz and Toral started to find pockets of space between the lines, linking well with Díaz. Then came the cruel twist in the 88th minute. A quick interchange between Ortiz and Toral found Díaz inside the box, whose chipped ball towards the far post took an unfortunate deflection off Freddy Lallawmawma and rolled past Nora Fernandes into the Kerala net.
The Mumbai bench erupted. After nearly 90 minutes of frustration, fortune had finally favoured the Islanders. For Kerala, it was heartbreak Freddy’s attempted clearance had instead sealed their elimination.
Nervy Finish, Mumbai Through
With seven minutes added on, Kerala threw men forward in desperation. Danish Farooq and Vibin Mohanan tried to pump long balls into the Mumbai half, but the Islanders’ defence, marshalled by Tiri and Akash Mishra, stood tall. The final whistle brought relief for Mumbai, who knew how narrow the margins were. The 1-0 victory took Mumbai City FC to six points, placing them atop Group D, ahead of Kerala Blasters (6 pts) and Rajasthan United (4 pts). The result also confirmed a semi-final clash against FC Goa, setting up an exciting all-ISL contest.
For Kerala, it was a bitter end to what had been a solid campaign. Having started strong with a win over Rajasthan and a draw against Delhi, they faltered at the final hurdle. Their defensive organisation and intensity were commendable, but the red card and own goal proved decisive. Mumbai, meanwhile, will take confidence from their grit. While the performance wasn’t vintage, the result mattered most. Coach Petr Kratky’s substitutions paid off, and the team’s composure under pressure ensured their passage into the knockout rounds.
Final Score: Mumbai City FC 1 (Freddy Lallawmawma OG 88’) – 0 Kerala Blasters
Mumbai City march on to the Super Cup semi-finals, while Kerala bow out undone by a moment of misfortune in a game where they gave everything.
