Mumbai City FC – 1 (Lallianzuala Chhangte 84’)
NorthEast United FC – 1 (Jithin MS 48’)

Mumbai, Sunday, March 1, 2026: A late equaliser by Lallianzuala Chhangte helped Mumbai City FC secure a 1-1 draw against NorthEast United FC in Indian Super League 2025-26 at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday, March 1.

With this draw, Mumbai City FC provisionally moved to fourth in the standings with seven points, while NorthEast United FC remain 10th with two points. Chhangte was adjudged the Player of the Match.

Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Krátký retained his tested starting XI without any changes, while NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali made three alterations, bringing in forward Lalrinzuala, midfielder Laishram Danny Meitei, and right-back Redeem Tlang.

NorthEast made a promising start, enjoying the early share of possession, but struggled to penetrate Mumbai’s defensive line in the final third. The first real opportunity fell to the hosts in the 11th minute when Chhangte’s left-footed strike from outside the box was tipped over by the Highlanders keeper Gurmeet Singh for a corner.

Jorge Pereyra Díaz fired wide two minutes later, while NorthEast responded in the 18th minute as winger Jithin MS dragged his effort wide from the centre of the box following a corner. Mumbai City FC midfielder Brandon Fernandes came close in the 23rd minute with a direct free kick that missed narrowly.

Neither side were able to seize control in the opening half-hour. Parthib Gogoi delivered a dangerous curler from the right in the 33rd minute, but Islanders center back Nuno Reis produced a crucial clearance.

The first half ended goalless, with both teams showing flashes of quality, but nothing to show for on the scoresheet.

NorthEast broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half. After midfielder Muthu Mayakkannan won a free kick in the attacking half, Andy Rodríguez delivered a teasing ball into the box. The delivery took a touch off Lalrinzuala back before falling to Jithin MS, who struck a precise right-footed effort from a difficult angle into the near post in the 48th minute, putting the Highlanders 1-0 ahead.

The Highlanders looked to build on their advantage, with right-back Samte firing wide soon after. Mumbai responded through Brandon, whose effort was blocked, while midfielder Vikram Pratap Singh’s long-range strike drifted narrowly off target in the 58th minute.

The Highlanders continued to threaten from set-pieces. Rodríguez headed wide in the 62nd minute, and Nickson’s long-range attempt missed the target shortly after. Lalrinzuala’s effort in the 72nd minute was blocked as Mumbai gradually increased the pressure.

The equaliser arrived in the 84th minute through a well-constructed move. Joni Kauko lofted a precise through ball into the path of Pereyra Díaz, whose powerful left-footed shot was parried by Gurmeet Singh. Chhangte reacted quickest inside the six-yard box to head into the empty net and level the scores at 1-1.

Both sides pressed for a late winner. Chhangte headed wide in stoppage time, while Vanlalvunga dragged an effort off target at the other end. However, neither team could find the decisive breakthrough.

The final whistle confirmed a 1-1 draw, with Chhangte’s late intervention cancelling out Jithin’s opener as the points were shared at the Mumbai Football Arena.

After the completion of Gameweek 3, Mohun Bagan Super Giant currently sit on top of 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 are third and fourth, respectively, with seven points and +3 and +2 goal differences. Kerala Blasters FC, SC Delhi, and Mohammedan SC occupy the bottom three positions without a win so far this season.

Gameweek 4 begins on Thursday, March 5, 2026, with East Bengal FC hosting FC Goa. The match is slated for a 17:00 IST kickoff, and will be streamed live on FanCode, and telecast on Sony Sports Ten 2.