The Indian Super League 2025/26 continued to gather momentum in MW2, serving fans a perfect mix of high-scoring thrillers and tightly fought tactical battles. From dominant home wins to late stunners and debut heroics, the weekend underlined why the ISL remains one of Asia’s most exciting football leagues.
Early Control and Clinical Finishing Give FC Goa Their First Win of the Season
Matchweek 2 kicked off with FC Goa securing their first win of the season under Manolo Márquez as they defeated Mohammedan SC 2-0. The Gaurs wasted no time, taking the lead within minutes as Pol Moreno rose highest to head home from a Dejan Dražić corner.
Goa doubled their advantage after Mohammedan goalkeeper Subhajit Bhattacharjee fouled Udanta Singh inside the box, and Dražić calmly converted from the penalty spot.
While Mohammedan SC showed more attacking intent in the second half and kept threatening, FC Goa’s defensive shape and ball control ensured a comfortable win.
It was a classic Goa performance — dominance in possession, control in midfield, and efficiency in front of goal — while Mohammedan suffered back-to-back defeats to start their ISL campaign.
East Bengal’s Attacking Firepower Overwhelms a Brave SC Delhi Side
Saturday afternoon in Kolkata delivered a high-scoring thriller as East Bengal FC continued their winning run. SC Delhi stunned the home crowd early with Augustine Lalrochana scoring in the 4th minute, but the response was immediate as Edmund Lalrindika smashed in a volley from outside the box just three minutes later.
Youssef Ezzejjari once again proved his class, scoring a first-half brace, one from the penalty spot and another with a composed finish in front of goalkeeper giving East Bengal control heading into halftime.
The second half saw SC Delhi attack relentlessly, as they registered 19 shots with 9 on target in the whole match, but lacked the finishing touch.
In stoppage time, Miguel Figueira produced a moment of magic, curling in a stunning strike from distance to seal a 4-1 win. East Bengal FC looked ruthless, clinical, and confident — all signs of a side growing in belief early in the ISL 2025/26 season.
Vincy Barretto’s Late Strike Keeps Jamshedpur’s Winning Run Alive
At the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur FC maintained their perfect home record with a narrow 1-0 win over Punjab FC. The contest was evenly poised, with both teams matching each other in intensity, defensive discipline, and tactical structure.
The decisive moment arrived in the 78th minute when Punjab FC’s goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh’s clearance fell straight to Vincy Barretto, who made no mistake with a first-time finish.
Owen Coyle’s men showed maturity and resilience to see the game out, recording back-to-back home wins and quietly building early-season momentum.
Rinzuala’s Brilliance Denies Bengaluru Full Points Against NorthEast United
Sunday’s action began with an intriguing clash where NorthEast United dominated early proceedings, while Bengaluru FC relied on quick transitions. Against the run of play, Brian Sánchez struck from outside the box, guiding the ball into the bottom corner to give the Blues a 20th-minute lead.
The second half belonged to NorthEast United. A stunning long pass from Asheer Akhtar found Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, who produced a brilliant finish past Gurpreet Singh Sandhu for his debut ISL goal — a strike that earned applause even from the opposition fans.
Despite Bengaluru FC failing to register a single shot on target, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s five crucial saves ensured the Blues walked away with a point.
Debutant Goalkeeper Shines but Mumbai City Snatch All Three Points in Kochi
In front of a passionate Kochi crowd, Kerala Blasters FC started with positive intent, pressing high and pushing numbers forward. However, a foul by Danish Farooq on Jorge Pereyra Díaz resulted in a penalty for Mumbai City FC in the first-half.
On debut, 23-year-old goalkeeper Arsh Shaikh stole the spotlight, brilliantly saving Pereyra Díaz’s penalty to keep the Blasters alive.
Early in the second half, Mumbai captain Lallianzuala Chhangte showed his composure, scoring what proved to be the winning goal. Despite Kerala Blasters dominating possession later on, Mumbai City FC’s defensive discipline saw them hold on for a crucial away win.
Maclaren and Petratos Power Mohun Bagan to a Dominant Home Victory
Mohun Bagan Super Giant returned to the VYBK with authority, delivering a dominant performance against Chennaiyin FC.
The Mariners controlled the game from start to finish, enjoying overwhelming possession and sustained attacking pressure.
Goals from Jamie Maclaren and Dimitri Petratos sealed a comfortable 2–0 win, handing Chennaiyin FC their second consecutive defeat of the season.
Chennaiyin endured a forgettable outing, managing just 34% possession and failing to register a single shot on target from their three attempts all match.
Tactical Stalemate at Kalinga as Odisha FC and Inter Kashi Settle for a Draw
The final match of MatchWeek 2 ended goalless as Odisha FC and Inter Kashi FC played out a 0–0 draw at the Kalinga Stadium.
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Inter Kashi dominated possession for large spells, while Odisha FC relied on structured defending and counter-attacks. Both teams recorded just one shot on target each, resulting in the first goalless draw of the ISL 2025/26 season.
ISL 2025/26 MatchWeek 2 Takeaways
Matchweek 2 of the Indian Super League 2025/26 delivered goals, drama, debut stars, defensive masterclasses, and early title statements. As winning streaks form and pressure mounts, the league promises an exciting road ahead.
Matchweek 3 Fixtures
