For the Gaurs, this semi-final arrives after an intense run of competitive fixtures — something no other ISL club has experienced in recent months. While domestic football paused across India, FC Goa remained active, playing an AFC Champions League Two qualifier, three Super Cup group-stage matches, and five AFC Champions League Two games against top teams from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Tajikistan.

This demanding schedule has kept the squad sharp and battle-ready. Head coach Manolo Márquez believes this rhythm could make a difference. Speaking about the contrasting build-up for the two sides, he said:
“I would prefer to be in FC Goa’s position with more training and more games. Always, to play in a competition like the AFC Champions League Two against very good teams should be better. Again, it’s one game, knockout, 90 or 120 minutes, and anything can happen.”

In contrast, Mumbai City FC enter the semi-final after almost a month without a competitive match. Despite the break, they remain one of the strongest sides in Indian football, built around experienced foreigners, national team players, and a proven system. Marquez acknowledged their quality, calling them “a team with four quality foreigners, an experienced coach, and many Indian national team players.” Mumbai’s challenge will be adapting quickly to the speed and intensity of a knockout game against a Goa side that has been consistently tested.

FC Goa closed their group stage with confidence, even though their final match — played with several rotations — ended in a narrow defeat to NorthEast United. With the semi-final here, Goa are expected to return to a full-strength lineup.

Young defender Ronney Wilson, who has quickly settled into the squad after featuring in both AFC Champions League and Super Cup matches, highlighted how the team’s busy schedule has boosted confidence and unity. He shared:
“Playing for FC Goa in the Champions League has helped not just me but all the other players. It’s helped us improve a lot. The feeling in the team and the dressing room is really good now, and our bond is strong thanks to all these games we’ve had to play.”

This fixture also carries emotional weight. The last time the two teams met was in February 2025, when FC Goa stunned Mumbai City with a commanding 1–3 win in Mumbai, a performance powered by a brace from Iker Guarrotxena and a composed finish from Borja Herrera. That victory remains one of Goa’s standout displays of the season and will serve as inspiration heading into this semifinal.

With momentum on their side, strong preparation behind them, and the backing of the Fatorda crowd, FC Goa step into the semifinals full of belief. Mumbai City, rested and motivated, will be determined to challenge the champions.

All signs point to a gripping, high-quality encounter, a semifinal that promises energy, emotion, and a fight worthy of a place in the Super Cup final.

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East Bengal come into the semi-final after a confident group-stage campaign in which they showed control, attacking sharpness, and balance across all departments. Their performances included a strong win in their final group game, which secured their place in the last four. The Kolkata giants have grown more consistent with every match, with their midfield dictating tempo and their forwards creating constant danger.

Punjab FC’s path to the semi-final has been equally impressive. They began their group campaign by winning two matches 3–0, displaying a perfect blend of defensive solidity and clinical finishing. Their final group game ended goalless against Bengaluru FC, but Punjab held their nerve in the penalty shootout, winning 5–4 to advance. The Shers are also the only team to reach the semi-final without conceding a single goal in regular time, underlining their defensive strength.

This matchup is expected to revolve around the midfield battle. East Bengal’s creativity and ability to stretch defences will be tested by Punjab FC’s disciplined structure. Punjab’s transition play has been their biggest asset so far, and East Bengal’s defence will need to be alert against their pacey forwards.

For Punjab, key players such as Nsungusi Effiong and their dynamic midfield core will play a vital role. East Bengal, meanwhile, will rely on their high-tempo passing, quick combinations, and the experience of their established attacking unit.

With both teams evenly matched in form and confidence, this semi-final has all the ingredients of a tightly contested showdown. The winner will not only earn a place in the final but also move one step closer to potential continental qualification, making this clash one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament.

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Rajasthan started strongly, taking the lead in the 22nd minute when Pedro Astray headed home from a corner. The I-League side doubled their advantage in the 35th minute through Robinson Blandón, who calmly tapped in from close range after a neat assist inside the box.

However, the game turned after the break as Sporting Club Delhi came out with renewed energy. In the 61st minute, Sourav pulled one back with a superb finish from a through ball, cutting the deficit to one. The drama continued till the very end when Alan Saji scored a stunning equaliser in the 90+4th minute, chesting the ball down and slotting it past the keeper to make it 2-2.

The result means Rajasthan United finish second in Group D with 4 points if Mumbai City FC do not win or draw in the last match of the group stage against Kerala Blasters, missing out on qualification to the semifinals. A victory would have taken them level on points with group leaders Kerala Blasters, but the late goal ended their hopes.

Still, it was an impressive campaign for Rajasthan United, who earned praise for their fearless football — highlighted by their memorable 1-0 win over Mumbai City FC, a narrow loss to Kerala, and this hard-fought draw. Meanwhile, Sporting Club Delhi, in their debut Super Cup season, finish at the bottom with 1 point, showing signs of promise and fighting spirit despite tough opposition.

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Al Nassr asserted their dominance early, controlling possession and forcing Goa deep into their own half. The breakthrough came in the 35th minute when Abdulrahman Ghareeb curled in a stunning free-kick to give the hosts the lead. Goa tried to respond with patient buildup play and quick transitions, but Al Nassr’s quality on the ball kept them under constant pressure.

The second half saw the Saudi side step up another gear. Ghareeb doubled the advantage with a composed finish, before Mohammed Maran and João Félix added two more to complete a commanding performance for the home team.

Despite the defeat, FC Goa continued to show fight and intent throughout. Head coach Manolo Marquez handed valuable minutes to several young Indian players, including Rabeeh and Ayush Chhetri, who injected fresh energy into the game. Rabeeh came close to pulling one back late on, pressing high and almost capitalising on a loose ball before Al Nassr’s goalkeeper intervened.

While the result went Al Nassr’s way, FC Goa can take plenty of positives from their approach — staying true to their attacking principles, showing courage in possession, and testing themselves against world-class opposition.

With their continental campaign nearing its end, FC Goa will now shift focus back to domestic football, where they are preparing for the AIFF Super Cup 2025 semi-finals. The Gaurs will look to use the experience gained from Riyadh as motivation to deliver another spirited performance on home soil.

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It was Punjab FC who held their nerve when it mattered most. Goalkeeper Muheet Shabir became the hero for the Shers, saving Ryan Williams’ penalty, Bengaluru’s third attempt in the shootout, while Nsungusi Effiong, Princeton Rebello, Samir Zeljkovic, Leon Augustine, and Vinit Rai all converted their spot-kicks with confidence to seal Punjab’s first-ever Super Cup semifinal berth.

Head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis made two key changes for Punjab, bringing in Leon Augustine for the injured Muhammad Suhail and starting Nsungusi Effiong up front. The tactical switch worked well, as Punjab looked the more composed side in the first half, dominating possession and creating multiple chances. Effiong came close to opening the scoring after a defensive error, while Leon’s effort was deflected just over the bar.

Bengaluru FC, meanwhile, focused on counter-attacks but struggled to break through Punjab’s disciplined defence. In the second half, Bengaluru came alive, with Sunil Chhetri nearly converting a cross from Ashique Kuruniyan, and Rahul Bheke heading wide from a late corner. However, Punjab’s defensive unit, led by Muheet Shabir, stayed composed to keep a clean sheet and force the decider from the spot.

In the penalty shootout, Punjab showed perfect composure under pressure, scoring all five of their kicks to secure a historic victory. For Bengaluru FC, the defeat was heartbreaking, as a single missed penalty ended their Super Cup journey.

With this result, Punjab FC not only remain unbeaten in the tournament but also make history by advancing to the Super Cup semifinals for the first time. Their resilience, discipline, and composure under pressure once again underlined why they’ve been one of the standout sides of the competition.

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The opening goal came in the first half when a deflected shot fell kindly to Albert Torras, who made no mistake and fired it home with precision. Gokulam doubled their lead in the second half through Samuel Kynshi, who finished off a calm assist inside the box with a simple tap-in. Their dominance continued, and the third goal arrived late in the game as Juan reacted quickest to a rebound after the Mohammedan goalkeeper’s save, slotting the ball calmly into the net.

Despite the scoreline, Mohammedan SC showed moments of promise and continued to push forward in search of a goal. They created several half-chances through quick passing and counter-attacks but struggled to find the final touch against Gokulam’s disciplined backline.

With this win, Gokulam Kerala wrapped up their Super Cup journey with pride and confidence. Though qualification to the next round wasn’t possible, their fearless football, attacking intent, and solid display against a strong Mohammedan side reflect the team’s growing potential and determination to rise higher in Indian football.

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The Spanish striker opened his account in Kerala’s first group-stage game against Rajasthan United FC, scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory. He then followed it up with a commanding display against Sporting Club Delhi, netting two goals to help the Blasters secure another crucial win.

Obieta’s sharp finishing and intelligent positioning have made him one of the most effective forwards in the competition. He currently leads the scoring charts, ahead of players like Sunil Chhetri, who has two goals to his name.

With Kerala Blasters sitting top of Group D, their final group-stage match against Mumbai City FC will be crucial. Even a draw will be enough to confirm their place in the semi-finals. All eyes will now be on Koldo Obieta, who will look to continue his fine scoring run and strengthen his position as the current top scorer in the Super Cup.

His form has been vital for Kerala’s success so far, and as the competition heats up, Obieta’s impact continues to grow, showcasing his quality and consistency on the national stage.

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The match saw Mumbai City dominate possession early on, but Rajasthan United stayed disciplined and compact, defending with great organization. Their patience paid off in the 43rd minute, when Robinson Blandón capitalized on a counter-attack and fired a precise low shot into the bottom corner, giving Rajasthan a deserved lead just before halftime.

In the second half, Mumbai City pushed hard for an equalizer with constant pressure and several attacking changes. However, Rajasthan’s defense stood firm, goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri made key saves, and the backline blocked multiple goal-bound attempts. The team’s collective effort and fighting spirit frustrated Mumbai’s attack until the final whistle and soaked in the pressure exceptionally well.

With this win, Rajasthan United have reignited their campaign and moved to second place in Group D, sitting above Mumbai City FC on head-to-head record even though both teams are level on points. Their fearless approach and tactical discipline have shown that they can compete with the best in Indian football.

For Mumbai City, the defeat complicates their path to the semifinals as they now face a must-win situation in their final group match. For Rajasthan United, this was a statement performance, one built on belief, teamwork, and the desire to defy the odds against a top ISL powerhouse.

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The Blasters began with intent, dictating possession and pressing high from the opening whistle. Their early dominance paid off in the 18th minute, when Koldo Obieta Alberdi opened the scoring with a composed finish after a smart attacking move down the right flank. Just five minutes later, Koldo struck again, this time capitalizing on a defensive mix-up to double Kerala’s lead and put them firmly in control.

Before halftime, Korou Singh added a third in the 35th minute, finishing off a quick counter-attack to make it 3-0. Kerala’s attack looked relentless, while their defense stood firm, giving Delhi little room to threaten. The second half saw the Blasters slow the tempo, comfortably managing the game to seal three well-deserved points.

With this victory, Kerala Blasters move to the top of Group D, strengthening their chances of reaching the semifinals and showcasing the confidence and cohesion of a team in peak form.

For Sporting Club Delhi, the result confirmed the end of their Super Cup journey. After two consecutive defeats, the tournament newcomers are now mathematically out of contention. Despite flashes of promise, their inexperience showed against a superior Kerala side.

As the group stage nears its end, the Blasters look well on course for the knockout rounds, while Delhi’s campaign comes to a close with a match left to play, a tough learning experience in their debut Super Cup appearance.

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Bengaluru wasted no time in stamping their authority on the game. In the seventh minute, Ryan Williams opened the scoring after a precise through ball from Sirojiddin Kuziev sliced open the Gokulam defence. The early goal gave Gerard Zaragoza’s men the momentum to push forward relentlessly.

Just before half-time, Bengaluru doubled their advantage through Vinith Venkatesh, who calmly finished off a smart link-up move involving Taorem Kelvin Singh. The Blues went into the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead and full control of proceedings.

The second half brought more of the same dominance. Ryan Williams struck again just two minutes after the restart, slotting in his second of the night to make it 3-0. The scoring was completed in the 61st minute when captain Sunil Chhetri found the net, converting a well-worked team move to put the result beyond doubt.

Gokulam Kerala, despite flashes of effort, found it difficult to cope with Bengaluru’s pace, movement and pressing. Their backline was under constant pressure, and chances at the other end were few and far between.

With this emphatic win, Bengaluru FC move to six points in Group C, matching Punjab FC in both points and goal difference. The two sides will now face off in a decisive final group fixture to determine who advances to the semi-finals.

For Bengaluru, this performance was a perfect blend of control, precision, and intent — a reminder of the quality and experience that makes them one of India’s most formidable sides.

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