The second semi-final of the AIFF Super Cup 2025 brought drama, controversy, missed chances, and a relentless Fatorda crowd that refused to quieten down.
FC Goa, carrying the pressure of defending their title on home soil, overcame pre-match chaos and a spirited Mumbai City FC fightback to secure a 2–1 victory and book their place in Sunday’s final against East Bengal.
The evening began unusually at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa. Moments before kick-off, an unprecedented incident saw FC Goa captain Iker Guarrotxena shown a red card in the tunnel for dissent towards the referee. It was a moment that stunned both sets of supporters and threw coach Manolo Márquez’s tactical plans into immediate disarray. Yet, instead of deflating the home side, the setback seemed to ignite them.
Once the match kicked off at 8 PM IST, Goa took a few minutes to settle, but the momentum began tilting their way as their makeshift XI adjusted. Javier Siverio, who wasn’t even in the initial starting lineup and was set to begin on the bench, nearly produced the perfect response in the early stages when he rattled the post with a powerful long-range strike. That moment sparked Fatorda to life, and suddenly Goa looked sharper, hungrier, and more assertive.
The breakthrough came in the 20th minute after a sequence of defensive hesitation from Mumbai City. Borja Herrera found space on the left and swung in a teasing cross. Mumbai’s Tiri slipped while attempting to clear the danger, allowing Brison Fernandes to pounce. The winger wasted no time, launching a thunderous first-time volley that flew past Phurba Lachenpa into the roof of the net. The stadium erupted, sensing this could be a game where Goa rode the emotional high of adversity.
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Barely two minutes later, Goa doubled their advantage. Mumbai City’s Bijay Chhetri managed to get something on a low cross, but his clearance lacked conviction and instead sat invitingly at the edge of the box. Midfielder David Timor Copovi stepped forward, unleashed a powerful drive, and Lachenpa usually assured completely misread the bounce. The ball slipped through his gloves and into the net, gifting Goa a 2–0 lead and leaving Mumbai City rattled.
Mumbai responded by pushing bodies forward. Jorge Pereyra Díaz came closest before halftime when he struck the crossbar, a moment that hinted at what was to come. Still, Goa went into the break firmly in control and in full command of the tempo.
The second half began with Mumbai City showing greater urgency, but their route back into the match almost arrived courtesy of an error from Goa goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari. In the 52nd minute, Tiwari rushed off his line and collided clumsily with Díaz at the edge of the box. The referee pointed to the spot, giving Mumbai City a golden opportunity. But Lallianzuala Chhangte, normally one of Indian football’s most reliable finishers, skied his penalty well over the bar. Goa and Tiwari breathed a massive sigh of relief.
The miss seemed to spur Mumbai further, and eventually their sustained pressure broke through. In the 59th minute, Brandon Fernandes back on familiar turf combined beautifully with Díaz in a quick one-two. Despite slipping during his shot, Brandon guided the ball into the bottom corner, rejuvenating Mumbai’s hopes.
From that point, it was Mumbai City who dictated possession, repeatedly stretching Goa’s defensive structure. Chhangte came close again with a rebound effort that only found the side netting, while Díaz forced Tiwari into an important save. Jorge Ortiz also tested the Goa goalkeeper, but this time Tiwari stood tall, redeeming himself for his earlier misjudgement.
As the match entered its final stages, Goa turned to their bench. Udanta Singh, Rabeeh, and Princeton Rebello came on to restore stability and fresh legs, while Mumbai brought on Franklin and later Vikram Partap Singh after Brandon appeared uncomfortable following his goal.
Despite Mumbai City’s heavy possession and multiple waves of attack, they lacked the incisive pass that Brandon had been offering before his substitution. Goa held their defensive shape admirably, forcing Mumbai into speculative shots and slowing the tempo whenever possible. The home crowd, sensing the finish line, grew louder with every clearance, interception, and duel won.
The final whistle arrived to a roar that echoed across Fatorda. FC Goa had survived the early chaos, capitalised on Mumbai City’s errors, and held their nerve in a tense second half to win 2–1. For Mumbai City, it marked a third consecutive semi-final exit in the Super Cup a bitter blow to Petr Kratky’s side, who once again fell just short.
Goa now advance to Sunday’s final, though they will be without their suspended captain Guarrotxena. Even so, the squad’s resilience on the night suggests that Márquez’s side will enter the title clash with belief, momentum, and the backing of a boisterous home crowd.
From drama in the tunnel to end-to-end action on the pitch, this semi-final showcased everything Indian football fans love intensity, unpredictability, and pure emotion.
FC Goa march on, one win away from defending their Super Cup crown.
