FC Goa secured their second consecutive victory in the Indian Super League 2025-26 season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over SC Delhi at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
Table of Contents
The Match Overview
Dejan Drazic scored the only goal of the game in the 43rd minute to give Manolo Marquez’s side all three points and move them to seven points from three matches in the ISL 2025-26 standings.
The victory came against a determined SC Delhi side still searching for their first points of the season after suffering their third consecutive defeat. Despite showing fighting spirit, the visitors from the capital were unable to break through FC Goa’s organized defense.
The Decisive Goal
Drazic’s strike just before halftime proved to be the difference between the two sides. The Serbian forward has now been directly involved in four of FC Goa’s five goals this season, having scored three times and provided one assist.
The goal came at a crucial time, allowing FC Goa to take control of the match going into the break and giving them a psychological advantage for the second half.
FC Goa’s Perfect Home Start
The victory marked FC Goa’s perfect start at home this season. After drawing 1-1 away to Inter Kashi in their opening match, the Gaurs have now won their two home fixtures at the Fatorda Stadium, having previously defeated Mohammedan SC 2-0.
Head coach Manolo Marquez emphasized before the match that it wouldn’t be an easy game despite SC Delhi’s winless start. “It won’t be an easy game. They had chances in both matches they played. We need to forget statistics when we enter the pitch. If we don’t play well, we will have problems,” Marquez had warned.
His caution proved prescient as SC Delhi, despite being bottom of the table, showed they were no pushovers and created moments of concern for the home side.
FC Goa Season Performance
| Match | Opponent | Result | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inter Kashi | Draw | 1-1 | Away |
| 2 | Mohammedan SC | Win | 2-0 | Away |
| 3 | SC Delhi | Win | 1-0 | Home |
SC Delhi’s Continuing Struggles
For SC Delhi, the defeat extended their winless run to three matches since being rebranded from Hyderabad FC ahead of the 2025-26 season. The Phoenix sit at the bottom of the ISL table with zero points and a goal difference of minus six.
Under head coach Tomasz Tchórz, the young Delhi side have conceded seven goals and scored just two in their opening three fixtures. Their previous defeats came 2-0 to Bengaluru FC and 4-1 to East Bengal despite taking an early lead in that match.
This was the first meeting between FC Goa and SC Delhi. Previously, FC Goa had faced Hyderabad FC, winning six of their twelve encounters before the club relocated to Delhi.
SC Delhi’s Season Record
| Match | Opponent | Result | Score | Goals For/Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bengaluru FC | Loss | 0-2 | 0-2 |
| 2 | East Bengal | Loss | 1-4 | 1-5 |
| 3 | FC Goa | Loss | 0-1 | 0-6 |
Dejan Drazic’s Impact
Dejan Drazic has quickly become FC Goa’s most important attacking player this season. The Serbian has scored in all three of the Gaurs’ matches, netting the equalizing penalty against Inter Kashi and scoring from the spot again in the 2-0 win over Mohammedan SC.
His goal against SC Delhi was his third of the campaign, taking him level with the league’s top scorers after three matchweeks. Additionally, he provided an assist for Pol Moreno’s opener against Mohammedan SC.
Drazic’s ISL 2025-26 Statistics
| Metric | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 3 | Joint-top scorer |
| Assists | 1 | Set up Pol Moreno |
| Penalties Scored | 2 | vs Inter Kashi, Mohammedan |
| Matches Played | 3 | All starts |
| Goal Involvement | 4 of 5 team goals | 80% involvement |
Ayush Chhetri’s Development
FC Goa midfielder Ayush Chhetri, who has become a stable fixture in the team’s midfield, reflected on his growth after the match. “After my injury last year, it was difficult to stay away from the game. Getting my ISL debut and minutes on the pitch means a lot to me. I am grateful for the trust from the coach, and I am focused on scoring goals and helping the team improve every match,” he said.
Chhetri has benefited from playing alongside foreign players over the past three years, learning from their experience and incorporating those lessons into his game.
SC Delhi’s Challenges
Despite the defeat, SC Delhi showed glimpses of their tactical approach under Tomasz Tchórz. The Polish coach has been working to establish a distinct playing identity based on possession football and structured build-up play.
Speaking before the match, Tchórz acknowledged the challenge of facing FC Goa, particularly at Fatorda. “Goa are always difficult opponents defensively,” he noted, recognizing the task ahead for his young squad.
The team’s performances have indicated genuine effort to establish themselves in the league, but results have not followed. Converting possession and territorial advantage into goals remains a significant challenge.
Alan Saji’s Return
SC Delhi forward Alan Saji made his return from injury to feature in the match. “After my injury last year, it was difficult to stay away from the game. Getting my ISL debut and minutes on the pitch means a lot to me,” Saji said. “I am grateful for the trust from the coach, and I am focused on scoring goals and helping the team improve every match.”
Despite Saji’s commitment, SC Delhi were unable to find the breakthrough against a well-organized FC Goa defense.
Match Statistics
| Category | FC Goa | SC Delhi |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 1 | 0 |
| Possession | 58.3% | 41.7% |
| Shots on Goal | 2 | 1 |
| Total Shots | 13 | 5 |
| Corner Kicks | 6 | 3 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 1 |
| Saves | 1 | 0 |
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FAQs
Who scored the winning goal for FC Goa?
Dejan Drazic scored the only goal of the match in the 43rd minute, securing a 1-0 victory for FC Goa over SC Delhi at the Fatorda Stadium.
What is FC Goa’s record in ISL 2025-26?
FC Goa have seven points from three matches with two wins and one draw. They drew 1-1 with Inter Kashi before winning 2-0 against Mohammedan SC and 1-0 against SC Delhi.
How many goals has Dejan Drazic scored this season?
Dejan Drazic has scored three goals in three matches for FC Goa in ISL 2025-26, making him one of the league’s top scorers. He has also provided one assist.
What is SC Delhi’s current position in the league?
SC Delhi are bottom of the ISL 2025-26 table with zero points from three matches, having lost all three games with a goal difference of minus six.
When is the next match for both teams?
The article does not specify exact dates for upcoming fixtures, but both teams will continue their ISL 2025-26 campaigns with SC Delhi desperately needing their first points of the season.
