ISL 2025-26: Sporting Club Delhi Secure Maiden Win as Title Race and Relegation Battle Intensify
Sporting Club Delhi secured their maiden Indian Super League victory on 6 April 2026, defeating Kerala Blasters 1-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. The result offers the expansion franchise a lifeline in their battle against relegation as the ISL 2025-26 season enters its decisive final stretch.
Aimen’s Goal Seals Historic Night for SC Delhi
Midfielder Aimen struck the only goal of the match in the 63rd minute, converting a low cross from the right flank to send the home crowd into celebration. It was Delhi’s first competitive ISL win since joining the league as an expansion team this season.
Head coach Sergio Lobera described the result as a turning point. “The players showed tremendous character tonight. This is the kind of performance that can change a season,” he said after the final whistle. Delhi had drawn two and lost four of their previous six matches before the breakthrough.
Mumbai City FC Maintain Command at the Top
The Indian football landscape at the top of the table remains dominated by Mumbai City FC. The Islanders lead with 17 points from seven matches, boasting five wins and two draws. Their 1-0 victory over Odisha FC on 5 April extended their unbeaten run to seven games.
Jamshedpur FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant occupy second and third place respectively. Jamshedpur earned a 1-1 draw against Mohun Bagan on 4 April, with Ritwik Das rescuing a late point for the Jharkhand club. Bengaluru FC sit fourth after Chhetri and Bhutia strikes powered a 2-0 win over FC Goa on 4 April.
Relegation Battle Intensifies
The introduction of relegation for the first time in ISL history has raised stakes at the bottom of the table. SC Delhi, Kerala Blasters and Chennaiyin FC are locked in a three-way fight to avoid the drop zone. Delhi’s first win lifts them off the bottom, but they remain within touching distance of the relegation places.
Kerala Blasters’ loss leaves them in a precarious position with just five points from seven games. Coach Ivan Vukomanovic acknowledged the pressure: “Every match from here is a final for us. We cannot afford another defeat.”
Investment and Viewership Continue to Rise
Despite the tension at the bottom, the ISL’s commercial appeal continues to grow. India’s climb to 92nd in the FIFA rankings has been closely linked to rising ISL investment. Broadcast viewership for the 2025-26 season is up 18 per cent year on year, according to industry estimates, with FanCode streaming matches to record digital audiences.
The league’s decision to expand to 14 teams and introduce promotion-relegation has drawn praise from the Asian Football Confederation. With seven rounds of fixtures remaining, both the title race and India’s wider sporting calendar promise intense competition through the April-May window.
Looking Ahead
SC Delhi face Bengaluru FC next in what will be another crucial test. Mumbai City FC travel to NorthEast United, while Mohun Bagan host Punjab FC in a match that could reshape the top four. The final round of fixtures before the international break will clarify both the championship contenders and the clubs facing the threat of relegation for the first time in ISL history.
- Sarvam AI Closes $350 Million Round at $1.5 Billion Valuation, Becoming India’s Biggest AI Startup Fundraise of 2026 - April 20, 2026
- Pati Patni Aur Woh Do Teaser Drops: Ayushmann Khurrana, Sara Ali Khan, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Rakul Preet Singh Star in Bollywood’s Biggest Comedy of 2026 - April 20, 2026
- Everest 2026: North Side Closed, Nepal Tightens Rules, and Indian Climbers Eye the Summit - April 19, 2026
