Lallianzuala Chhangte struck late to help Mumbai City FC salvage a 1-1 draw against NorthEast United FC in the Indian Super League, ISL 2025-26 at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday.
The winger’s 84th-minute equaliser cancelled out Jithin MS’s second-half opener, ensuring the Islanders avoided defeat at home.
The result sees Mumbai City FC move provisionally to fourth in the standings with seven points, while NorthEast United FC remain 10th with two points. Chhangte was named Player of the Match for his decisive contribution.
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Mumbai head coach Petr Krátký retained his starting XI, opting for continuity, while NorthEast United coach Juan Pedro Benali made three changes, introducing Lalrinzuala, Laishram Danny Meitei, and Redeem Tlang.
NorthEast began brightly, enjoying early spells of possession and attempting to control the tempo. However, they found it difficult to penetrate Mumbai’s defensive line. The hosts created the first meaningful opportunity in the 11th minute when Chhangte cut inside and unleashed a left-footed strike from distance. Gurmeet Singh reacted sharply, tipping the ball over for a corner.
Photo: Hariom Hans /Focus Sports/ ISL
Two minutes later, Jorge Pereyra Díaz fired wide, while NorthEast responded in the 18th minute when Jithin MS dragged an effort off target from inside the box following a corner.
Mumbai continued to probe. Brandon Fernandes came close in the 23rd minute with a direct free-kick that narrowly missed the target. The match then settled into a midfield contest, with both sides exchanging possession but struggling to create clear chances. In the 33rd minute, Parthib Gogoi delivered a curling effort from the right that appeared threatening, but Nuno Reis produced a timely clearance to preserve parity.
Despite flashes of attacking quality, the first half concluded goalless.
NorthEast Strike After the Break
The deadlock was broken shortly after the restart. In the 48th minute, NorthEast capitalised on a set-piece situation. Muthu Mayakkannan earned a free-kick in the attacking half, and Andy Rodríguez delivered a teasing ball into the box. The delivery took a slight touch before falling to Jithin MS, who from a tight angle drilled a precise right-footed finish into the near post.
The goal shifted momentum towards the visitors. NorthEast looked composed and confident, pushing forward in search of a second. Samte fired wide soon after, while Rodríguez headed off target from another set-piece in the 62nd minute.
Mumbai attempted to respond through Brandon Fernandes, whose shot was blocked, and Vikram Pratap Singh, whose long-range strike in the 58th minute drifted narrowly wide.
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As the second half progressed, Mumbai gradually raised the intensity. Vikram and Brandon began to find pockets of space in midfield, while Chhangte remained active along the flank. NorthEast, however, continued to pose threats from dead-ball situations. Nickson attempted from distance, and Lalrinzuala saw his effort blocked in the 72nd minute as Mumbai tightened defensively.
The hosts’ persistence eventually paid off in the 84th minute through a well-worked move. Joni Kauko lofted a measured through ball into the path of Pereyra Díaz, who drove into the box and unleashed a powerful left-footed effort. Gurmeet Singh produced a strong save, but the rebound fell invitingly inside the six-yard area.
Chhangte reacted first, rising to head the ball into the empty net and restore parity at 1-1.
The equaliser injected urgency into the closing stages. Both teams pushed for a winner, aware that the next goal could prove decisive. Chhangte had another opportunity in stoppage time but headed wide, while Vanlalvunga dragged an effort off target at the other end. Despite the late exchanges, neither side managed to carve out a decisive opening.
The final whistle confirmed a share of the spoils.
After Gameweek 3, Mohun Bagan Super Giant lead the table with nine points and a +8 goal difference, followed by Jamshedpur FC, also on nine points with a +3 goal difference. FC Goa and Mumbai City FC occupy third and fourth respectively, both on seven points. Kerala Blasters FC, SC Delhi, and Mohammedan SC remain winless at the bottom of the standings.
For Mumbai, the late equaliser prevents a home setback and maintains momentum in the early stages of the campaign. For NorthEast United, the performance reflected defensive organisation and structured transitions, though the inability to hold onto the lead will be a point of reflection.
Gameweek 4 begins on March 5, with East Bengal FC hosting FC Goa. As the league table begins to take shape, marginal moments such as Chhangte’s 84th-minute intervention continue to shape the narrative of the season.
