NEUFC share points with Mumbai City

MUMBAI, March 1: 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.
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.
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.
However 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.
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 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.
IMAGE CAPTION: NEUFC celebrating their goal.