ISL 2026-27: SC Delhi Stage Stunning Comeback to Beat Mumbai City FC 3-2 in Mumbai

Sporting Club Delhi produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 season, scoring three goals in the final 20 minutes to defeat Mumbai City FC 3-2 at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday. 

Trailing by two goals at half-time, the visitors mounted a remarkable comeback through Carlos Fortes, Akshat Mehra and Juan Pena to snatch all three points.

Mumbai City appeared firmly in control after first-half goals from Muhammad Ajsal and Zothanpuia gave them a 2-0 advantage. However, SC Delhi refused to surrender, with Fortes reducing the deficit in the 73rd minute before late strikes from Mehra and Pena completed an extraordinary turnaround.

The result was particularly painful for Mumbai City, who had looked comfortable for much of the contest but were unable to withstand the visitors' late attacking surge.

The hosts began aggressively and threatened almost immediately. Akash Mishra's through ball found Ajsal inside the opening four minutes. His initial effort was saved, while Zothanpuia's attempt on the rebound was blocked.

Mumbai City took the lead in the sixth minute through a combination between Ajsal and Noufal. The former played a neat one-two with his teammate before finishing past the goalkeeper following a defensive error by Lamgoulen Hangshing. The goal was also Mumbai City's first from open play this season.

SC Delhi attempted to respond, with Duvan Viafara going close in the 12th minute. The defender's left-footed strike from distance narrowly cleared the crossbar.

Mumbai City continued to create opportunities. In the 23rd minute, Ajsal cushioned a floated delivery from Mishra into the path of Hridaya Jain, but the youngster sent his effort over the bar.

Four minutes later, the home side doubled its advantage. Noufal produced a strong run down the left before delivering a cross into the penalty area. Zothanpuia met it and calmly finished with his right foot to make it 2-0.

SC Delhi nearly found a response before the break. Sourav carried the ball forward from the right and laid it off to Mohammad Azhar, whose curling right-footed effort struck the crossbar in the 35th minute. Mumbai City nevertheless went into half-time with a commanding two-goal lead.

SC Delhi responds with attacking changes.

SC Delhi made two substitutions at the interval, introducing Richard Ndayishimaye and Ashutosh Mehta for Mohammad Azhar and Lamgoulen Hangshing respectively.

The visitors looked to attack the space behind Mumbai City's defence, but the hosts initially managed to keep their shape. Jain had another opportunity in the 58th minute after a loose ball from Noufal fell to him inside the box. Clarence Fernandes produced an important sliding challenge to prevent him from getting a shot away.

Mumbai City goalkeeper TP Rehenesh was then called into action in the 60th minute, getting his fingertips to a long-range attempt from Juan Pena. As the game became increasingly physical, both sides struggled to establish sustained attacking control. SC Delhi, however, continued searching for a way back into the contest.

Their next substitutions proved decisive. Augustine Lalrochana and Carlos Fortes entered in the 71st minute, replacing Sourav and Rodriguinho. Fortes made an immediate impact. In the 73rd minute, Rehenesh spilled a corner, allowing Ashutosh Mehta to collect the ball and set up Fortes for a close-range finish. The goal reduced the deficit to 1-2 and gave SC Delhi renewed belief.

Mumbai City responded by bringing on Brandon Fernandes for Lalnuntluanga, but the visitors were beginning to build momentum.

With time running out, SC Delhi made another attacking change in the 88th minute, introducing Akshat Mehra for Mohammed Aimen.

The substitute needed little time to make his presence felt. Receiving a pass from Ndayishimaye, Mehra took the ball into his stride and curled an effort towards goal. Rehenesh managed to get a hand to it but could only push the ball into his own net. The equaliser in the 92nd minute brought the visitors level at 2-2.

Mumbai City made two substitutions in the 90th minute, with Yuvraj Kadam replacing Noufal and Nathan Rodrigues coming on for Ajsal. But the hosts could not regain control before SC Delhi struck again. In the 94th minute, Pena produced the decisive moment. The attacker surged forward, beat two Mumbai City defenders with an impressive individual run and calmly slotted the ball home. It was a superb solo effort that completed the comeback and handed SC Delhi a stunning 3-2 victory.

For Mumbai City, the defeat will be difficult to digest. They had taken a two-goal lead, created opportunities to extend it and appeared to have the match under control. However, defensive lapses and an inability to manage SC Delhi's late pressure proved costly.

For SC Delhi, the victory demonstrated the value of persistence and the impact of their substitutions. Fortes provided the initial breakthrough, Mehra brought the teams level and Pena delivered the finishing touch with a moment of individual brilliance.

Coming from two goals down to score three times in the closing stages, SC Delhi turned an apparently lost contest into a memorable away victory. The Mumbai Football Arena witnessed a remarkable finish, with the visitors leaving with all three points after one of the season's most dramatic comebacks.