FC Bengaluru United edge Mohammedan SC 4-3 in stoppage-time thriller to claim historic IFL win

Akshunna Tyagi's 91st-minute header settles a seven-goal contest at the Bangalore Football Stadium after Mohammedan SC fought back twice from two-goal deficits to draw level.

FC Bengaluru United secured their first victory of the Indian Football League (IFL) 2026–27 season in dramatic fashion, defeating Mohammedan SC 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Friday. Substitute Akshunna Tyagi emerged as the match-winner, scoring a stoppage-time header in the 91st minute to deny the Kolkata side a hard-earned point.

The contest had everything: four goals from Bengaluru, three from Mohammedan, a series of set-piece opportunities and two impressive comebacks from the visitors. Bengaluru twice established a two-goal advantage, only for Mohammedan to fight their way back into the contest. Just when the match appeared destined to finish level, Tyagi delivered the decisive moment.

The home side started aggressively and looked comfortable exploiting their familiarity with the conditions. Dhruv Sharma tested Mohammedan goalkeeper Nikhil Deka early with a powerful left-footed free-kick after Jojo Zaihmingthanga was fouled near the penalty area. Deka produced an important save to keep the effort out.

Jojo soon had an opportunity of his own, meeting Dhruv's cross inside the box, but his header went straight at the goalkeeper. He made amends shortly afterwards, turning provider for Bengaluru's opening goal.

In the 15th minute, Jojo delivered a corner into the penalty area, where Marat Tareck used his physical presence to rise above his marker and power a header into the net. It was a significant moment for the hosts, as Tareck's goal became FC Bengaluru United's first-ever goal in the Indian Football League.

Bengaluru doubled their advantage four minutes later through another set-piece. Dhruv Sharma curled a corner in from the left, and Gautam A. Virwani met it with a superb header into the top corner to make it 2-0.

Mohammedan responded rather than allowing the hosts to take complete control. Lalremsanga Fanai capitalised on an error by Bengaluru captain Abdul Hannan and cut the ball back towards Yash Chickro. His first-time effort was blocked, but the rebound fell to Maharabam Maxion, whose powerful shot crept over the line beneath goalkeeper Manjunath Hirekurbar in the 26th minute.

The goal brought Mohammedan back into the contest, but Bengaluru continued to threaten. Deka was particularly busy, producing a series of saves to deny Maikol Herrera and Lalramdinsanga Ralte. The goalkeeper also dealt with repeated deliveries into the box as Bengaluru won seven corners in the first half. Despite their attacking pressure, the hosts went into the interval with a 2-1 lead.

Naocha Singh restores Bengaluru's advantage

Bengaluru nearly extended their lead two minutes after the restart. Chunsaba Bariam unleashed a powerful left-footed effort from the edge of the box that struck the underside of the post before ricocheting off Deka. The ball stayed out, allowing Mohammedan to escape.

The reprieve was short-lived. In the 53rd minute, Dhruv Sharma delivered another dangerous ball from the left, this time a looping cross towards the far post. Right-back Ngangbam Naocha Singh got ahead of his marker and guided a header past Deka to restore Bengaluru's two-goal cushion at 3-1.

Mohammedan responded almost immediately. Five minutes later, Lalthankima drove forward and found Lalremsanga Fanai inside the penalty area. Fanai's initial attempt was saved by Hirekurbar, but the striker reacted quickly to reach the rebound. His header found Lalthankima unmarked near the penalty spot, and the midfielder finished decisively to reduce the deficit to 3-2.

The visitors grew in confidence as the second half progressed. Bengaluru continued to look for a fourth goal, with Tareck going close, but his effort drifted wide. Mohammedan, meanwhile, became more effective in their attacking movements and found the equaliser in the 78th minute.

Hira Mondal released substitute Jeremy Laldinpuia down the right, and the midfielder delivered an inviting cross into the penalty area. Lalremsanga Fanai timed his run perfectly, rising ahead of Virwani to power a header into the top corner and make it 3-3.

With the scores level, Mohammedan appeared to have recovered from two separate two-goal deficits to secure a valuable away point. However, Bengaluru had one final opportunity to settle the contest. In the first minute of stoppage time, the hosts won a short corner. Lalramdinsanga Ralte took the set-piece before delivering a cross towards the near post, catching the Mohammedan defence off guard.

Substitute Akshunna Tyagi made the crucial run and redirected the ball with a header towards the far post, beating Deka to seal a dramatic 4-3 victory.

The result gave FC Bengaluru United their first win of the IFL 2026–27 season and their first-ever victory in the competition. It was also a memorable occasion for the club, with Tareck having scored their maiden IFL goal earlier in the match.

For Mohammedan SC, the defeat was a painful outcome after an impressive fightback. Maxion, Lalthankima and Fanai had helped the visitors recover from difficult positions, but they could not withstand Bengaluru's final set-piece attack.

Ultimately, the hosts' ability to make their set-piece opportunities count proved decisive in a contest that remained uncertain until the final moments.