FC Goa put on a commanding performance at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, defeating NorthEast United FC 2-0 in an exciting ISL 2025-26 clash on 24th April, 2026.
The Gaurs dominated the match from start to finish, controlling 57% of the ball and creating far more dangerous opportunities throughout the ninety-minute contest at the electrifying ISL venue.
NorthEast United struggled to find their rhythm against a well-organized Goa side. Despite creating a few chances, they were outclassed by the visitors who defended brilliantly and attacked with precision throughout.
Starting Line-Ups
The starting 11 of both teams is as follows.
NorthEast United FC (4-4-2)
GK: Gurpreet Singh | DEF: Buanthanglun Samte, Mohammed Arshaf Attakulayan, Abidur Rahman Akhtar, Redeem Tlang | MID: Mayakkannan, Macarton Nickson, Andy Rodriguez, Jairo | FWD: Jithin M.S., L. Lalbiaknia
FC Goa (4-2-3-1)
GK: Hrithik Tiwari | DEF: Anwar Sangwan, Prabhsukhan Marouf, Sandesh Jhingan, Balbant Singh Thangjam | MID: Anuj Chhetri, Raynier Fernandes | ATT: Brison Fernandes, Dejan Drazic, Udanta Singh | STR: Muhammed Nemil
Team Stats Comparison
The full match statistics are as follows.
| NorthEast Utd | Statistic | FC Goa |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Shots | 8 |
| 2 | Shots on Target | 4 |
| 43% | Ball Possession | 57% |
| 15 | Fouls | 8 |
| 5 | Yellow Cards | 3 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 1 | Offsides | 1 |
| 6 | Corners | 8 |
First Half: Drazic Opens the Scoring
The game kicked off with instant drama as Raynier Fernandes saw yellow in the 13th minute, setting a feisty vibe early. Both teams looked charged, ready for a proper showdown.
FC Goa didn’t wait long to shine. Dejan Drazic smashed one in at the 20th minute, thanks to a slick assist from Nemil, giving Goa a confident early lead.
Things got spicy when Drazic picked up a yellow just five minutes later. Despite scoring, he was subbed off in the 28th minute, with Abdul Rabeeh stepping in smartly.
NorthEast tried to bounce back before halftime, but Samte’s 45th-minute yellow didn’t help. Goa stayed on top, heading into the break with a solid 1-0 edge.
Second Half: NorthEast Crumble Under Pressure
The second half kicked off with instant chaos as Andy Rodriguez picked up a yellow within seconds. NorthEast United looked rattled, while Goa stayed cool, controlling the tempo like pros.
NorthEast tried to shake things up early, bringing on Parthib Gogoi to boost attack. The move showed intent, but Goa’s defence stayed tight, refusing to give any breathing space.
Frustration kept building for the Highlanders as more yellow cards followed, piling pressure on them. Meanwhile, Goa calmly rotated players, making smart substitutions to keep their energy and rhythm alive.
Late changes came thick and fast for NorthEast, but nothing clicked in attack. Goa’s defence stood rock solid, shutting every door and cruising towards a well-earned victory.
Injury Time: Yasir Seals It for the Gaurs
Deep into injury time, Mohammad Yasir stepped up and sealed the deal with a cool finish in the 90+3rd minute, completely shutting down any hopes of a NorthEast comeback.
The goal came from a slick assist by Sangwan, wrapping up a smooth team move. Goa looked sharp till the end, and their fans were loving every second of it.
Things went from bad to worse for NorthEast as Dinesh Singh picked up a yellow in the same moment. It pretty much summed up their frustrating, card-heavy night.
After seven minutes of added time, the final whistle confirmed a 2-0 win for Goa. Solid performance, clean control, and three big points in the bag.
Key Events Timeline
The complete timeline of the match is as follows.
| Minute | Event | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13′ | Yellow Card | Raynier Fernandes | FC Goa |
| 20′ | GOAL | Dejan Drazic, Ast: M. Nemil | FC Goa |
| 25′ | Yellow Card | Dejan Drazic | FC Goa |
| 28′ | Substitution | A. Rabeeh IN / Drazic OUT | FC Goa |
| 45′ | Yellow Card | Buanthanglun Samte | NEUFC |
| 47′ | Yellow Card | Andy Rodriguez | NEUFC |
| 48′ | Substitution | Gogoi IN / Mayakkannan OUT | NEUFC |
| 61′ | Yellow Card | M. Arshaf Attakulayan | NEUFC |
| 69′ | Yellow Card | Redeem Tlang | NEUFC |
| 74′ | Yellow Card | Brison Fernandes | FC Goa |
| 85′ | Substitution | Dinesh S. IN / Nickson OUT | NEUFC |
| 90+3′ | GOAL + Yellow Card | M. Yasir, Ast: A. Sangwan | FC Goa |
Match Analysis: Goa’s Superiority Was Clear
FC Goa’s dominance was evident from the very beginning. With eight shots to NorthEast’s three, and four shots on target compared to NorthEast’s two, the stat sheet told the complete and comprehensive story of this one-sided encounter.
NorthEast United’s biggest problem was discipline. Conceding five yellow cards across ninety-plus minutes is an embarrassing and unacceptable record for any ISL team with genuine aspirations of competing at the top of the table.
FC Goa’s tactical flexibility was impressive. Making multiple substitutions without losing their shape or momentum showed that the Gaurs’ squad depth is a significant asset as they push for a strong ISL finish this season.
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Conclusion: A Dominant Goa Performance
FC Goa walked away from Guwahati with a fully deserved three points. Dejan Drazic and Mohammad Yasir were the heroes as the Gaurs showcased exactly why they remain one of ISL’s most exciting and well-organised teams.
NorthEast United FC must address their discipline and goalscoring issues urgently. Five yellow cards, no goals, and only three shots in a home game tells a worrying story that the coaching staff cannot afford to ignore heading forward.
This result will boost FC Goa’s confidence enormously as they continue their ISL 2025-26 campaign. Their fans and supporters have every reason to be excited about what this talented squad is capable of achieving this season.
