Sporting Club Delhi produced a spirited comeback to earn a 2–2 draw against Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League, ISL 2025-26 at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday.
Trailing by two goals early in the match, the visitors showed resilience to fight back and secure their first point of the season, while Mumbai City were forced to settle for a draw despite dominating the opening stages of the contest. The result leaves the Islanders provisionally fourth in the standings with eight points, while Sporting Club Delhi finally opened their account after four matches. Midfielder Matija Babovic was named Player of the Match for his influential performance, including the equalising goal.
Mumbai City make a flying start
Mumbai City wasted no time in asserting their authority and took the lead inside the opening five minutes.
A long throw-in from Akash Mishra caused confusion inside the Delhi penalty area. The visitors failed to clear the ball properly, allowing striker Jorge Pereyra Diaz to react quickest. Diaz headed the loose ball into the bottom corner from close range in the third minute, giving the hosts an early 1–0 advantage. Despite conceding early, Delhi attempted to respond quickly. Midfielder Mohammed Amin tried his luck from distance in the fifth minute, but his effort was blocked. Another long-range attempt from Amin moments later drifted narrowly wide.
Photo: Hariom Hans /Focus Sports/ ISL
Mumbai City continued to push forward and doubled their advantage in the 17th minute through a well-executed attacking move. Midfielder Brandon Fernandes played a precise through ball into the path of winger Noufal PN, who had made a clever run down the left flank. Noufal controlled the pass and delivered a clinical right-footed strike into the top corner, extending Mumbai’s lead to 2–0.
At that stage, the Islanders appeared firmly in control. Their attacking movements and quick passing combinations repeatedly troubled the Delhi defence. However, Sporting Club Delhi gradually settled into the game and began to create opportunities of their own.
Delhi find a lifeline before half-time
Delhi’s best chance of the first half came in the 34th minute when Babovic attempted a shot from inside the penalty area, but the effort sailed over the crossbar. The breakthrough finally arrived deep into first-half stoppage time.
Mumbai goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa struggled to deal with a free-kick delivery into the box and failed to clear the danger. Brazilian forward Rafael Ribeiro collected the loose ball and set up left-back Manoj Mohammad, who struck a powerful shot into the bottom-left corner.
The goal, scored in the third minute of added time (45+3), reduced the deficit to 2–1 and gave Delhi renewed hope heading into the break.
Watch Indian Live Scores and Play Quiz – Download IndiaSportsHub App
The visitors began the second half with far greater confidence. Their midfield controlled possession effectively, limiting Mumbai’s attacking opportunities. Delhi nearly equalised in the 66th minute when right-back Alex Saji rose to meet a cross inside the penalty area, but his header drifted just wide.
Substitute Devendra Murgaokar also came close moments later, heading another cross over the bar as Delhi continued to apply pressure.
Babovic completes the comeback
Mumbai had a chance to restore their two-goal cushion in the 73rd minute when Akash Mishra connected with a Fernandes cross. However, Delhi goalkeeper Nora Fernandes produced a comfortable save to deny the attempt. Just moments later, the visitors found the equaliser.
Babovic picked up the ball outside the penalty area and surged forward, weaving his way through the Mumbai defence. The midfielder maintained his composure before calmly finishing from close range to level the score at 2–2 in the 73rd minute. The goal capped an impressive individual performance from Babovic and completed a remarkable turnaround for Sporting Club Delhi.
With the score level, the match became increasingly open as both teams searched for a winning goal. Mumbai midfielder Franklin Nazareth attempted a long-range effort in the 78th minute, but his shot went wide. Delhi also created opportunities, with Zothanpuia seeing his attempt blocked by the defence.
The visitors came closest to snatching victory in stoppage time when Devendra Murgaokar met a cross from Ramhlunchhunga. However, his header drifted wide of the target, allowing Mumbai to escape with a draw. When the final whistle sounded, the result felt like a victory for Sporting Club Delhi.
After losing their opening three matches of the season, the comeback draw not only secured their first point but also demonstrated the team’s fighting spirit. For Mumbai City, however, the match will be remembered as a missed opportunity. Despite racing into an early two-goal lead, they were unable to maintain their advantage.
As the ISL season progresses, Sporting Club Delhi will hope that this comeback performance becomes the turning point in their campaign, while Mumbai City will look to regroup and return to winning ways in their next outing.
