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Deadspin | NFL not reviewing Mike Vrabel-Diana Russini situation Mar 31, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks to reporters in the media during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images An NFL spokesperson told ESPN that the league is not reviewing Mike Vrabel following the publication of photos of the New England Patriots coach with journalist Diana Russini. The league’s personal conduct policy requires players, coaches and executives to avoid “conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League.” The New York Post’s Page Six posted photos on April 8 of Vrabel and Russini holding hands and hugging at an adults-only hotel in Sedona, Ariz. The league held its annual meetings in Phoenix from March 29-April 1. Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, are both married. Vrabel said the photos were “completely innocent” in a response to the Post, while Russini said the pictures lacked context and did not show the other members of the group they were hanging out with. Neither Vrabel nor Russini provided a comment for the story published by ESPN on Friday. Russini resigned from her position as a lead NFL reporter at The Athletic on Tuesday amid an internal investigation into the nature of her relationship with Vrabel. A Patriots spokesman did not respond to a question from ESPN about whether the team is reviewing the situation. Vrabel took over as head coach of the Patriots — the team he played for — before the 2025 season and led New England to the Super Bowl LX. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #NFL #reviewing #Mike #VrabelDiana #Russini #situation

Deadspin | NFL not reviewing Mike Vrabel-Diana Russini situation
Deadspin | NFL not reviewing Mike Vrabel-Diana Russini situation Mar 31, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks to reporters in the media during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images An NFL spokesperson told ESPN that the league is not reviewing Mike Vrabel following the publication of photos of the New England Patriots coach with journalist Diana Russini. The league’s personal conduct policy requires players, coaches and executives to avoid “conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League.” The New York Post’s Page Six posted photos on April 8 of Vrabel and Russini holding hands and hugging at an adults-only hotel in Sedona, Ariz. The league held its annual meetings in Phoenix from March 29-April 1. Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, are both married. Vrabel said the photos were “completely innocent” in a response to the Post, while Russini said the pictures lacked context and did not show the other members of the group they were hanging out with. Neither Vrabel nor Russini provided a comment for the story published by ESPN on Friday. Russini resigned from her position as a lead NFL reporter at The Athletic on Tuesday amid an internal investigation into the nature of her relationship with Vrabel. A Patriots spokesman did not respond to a question from ESPN about whether the team is reviewing the situation. Vrabel took over as head coach of the Patriots — the team he played for — before the 2025 season and led New England to the Super Bowl LX. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #NFL #reviewing #Mike #VrabelDiana #Russini #situationMar 31, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks to reporters in the media during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

An NFL spokesperson told ESPN that the league is not reviewing Mike Vrabel following the publication of photos of the New England Patriots coach with journalist Diana Russini.

The league’s personal conduct policy requires players, coaches and executives to avoid “conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League.”

The New York Post’s Page Six posted photos on April 8 of Vrabel and Russini holding hands and hugging at an adults-only hotel in Sedona, Ariz. The league held its annual meetings in Phoenix from March 29-April 1.

Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, are both married. Vrabel said the photos were “completely innocent” in a response to the Post, while Russini said the pictures lacked context and did not show the other members of the group they were hanging out with.


Neither Vrabel nor Russini provided a comment for the story published by ESPN on Friday.

Russini resigned from her position as a lead NFL reporter at The Athletic on Tuesday amid an internal investigation into the nature of her relationship with Vrabel.

A Patriots spokesman did not respond to a question from ESPN about whether the team is reviewing the situation.

Vrabel took over as head coach of the Patriots — the team he played for — before the 2025 season and led New England to the Super Bowl LX. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NFL #reviewing #Mike #VrabelDiana #Russini #situation

Sports news

Mar 31, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks to reporters in the media during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

An NFL spokesperson told ESPN that the league is not reviewing Mike Vrabel following the publication of photos of the New England Patriots coach with journalist Diana Russini.

The league’s personal conduct policy requires players, coaches and executives to avoid “conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League.”

The New York Post’s Page Six posted photos on April 8 of Vrabel and Russini holding hands and hugging at an adults-only hotel in Sedona, Ariz. The league held its annual meetings in Phoenix from March 29-April 1.

Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, are both married. Vrabel said the photos were “completely innocent” in a response to the Post, while Russini said the pictures lacked context and did not show the other members of the group they were hanging out with.

Neither Vrabel nor Russini provided a comment for the story published by ESPN on Friday.

Russini resigned from her position as a lead NFL reporter at The Athletic on Tuesday amid an internal investigation into the nature of her relationship with Vrabel.

A Patriots spokesman did not respond to a question from ESPN about whether the team is reviewing the situation.

Vrabel took over as head coach of the Patriots — the team he played for — before the 2025 season and led New England to the Super Bowl LX. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13.

–Field Level Media

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Pant ‘absolutely fit’ to face Punjab Kings: LSG bowling coach Arun <div id="content-body-70878349" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Lucknow Super Giants bowling coach Bharat Arun confirmed that skipper Rishabh Pant was ‘absolutely fit’ to play his team’s Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match against Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh on Sunday.</p><p>Pant had retired hurt against Royal Challengers Bengaluru when he was batting on 0 off four balls. He was hit on the elbow by a Josh Hazlewood delivery just two balls into his innings.</p><p>Though he returned to bat in the 17th over, after LSG lost a flurry of wickets, he walked back to the dugout soon after, after being dismissed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 1 off six balls. LSG was bowled out for 146, and RCB overhauled the paltry target in 15.1 overs with five wickets in hand.</p><p>Pant has endured another tough IPL season this year, amassing just 104 runs in five innings at a sedate strike rate of 122.35. His only fifty this season was an unbeaten 68 that took LSG over the line against Sunrisers Hyderabad by five wickets.</p><p>The 28-year-old, who is the league’s most expensive signing ever at Rs. 27 crore, also had an underwhelming IPL 2025, scoring just 269 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 133.16, though he ended the tournament with a century in a losing cause, against RCB.</p><p>The Super Giants finished IPL 2025 seventh on the standings, with six wins from 14 games, and have made yet another slow start this season, losing three of their first five.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 18, 2026</p></div> #Pant #absolutely #fit #face #Punjab #Kings #LSG #bowling #coach #Arun

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Deadspin | With Yainer Diaz struggling, Astros aim to even series vs. Cards Apr 13, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz (21) hits an RBI-single against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images Houston catcher Yainer Diaz was absent from the starting lineup on Friday when the Astros lost 9-4 to the visiting St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a three-game interleague series. While the Astros have enjoyed success offensively this season, leading the American League in several categories, Diaz has labored. He is batting .094, with an on-base percentage of .094 and a slugging percentage of .188, since his last multi-hit game on April 4 against the Athletics, a span of eight games. Diaz, 27, is batting .186 for the season, with one homer and nine RBIs. Astros manager Joe Espada said the club is working with him to tweak some things related to his approach at the plate. “You always want to remind yourself that the hitters are who they are,” Espada said. “Yainer Diaz has always been someone who likes to swing, and there’s nothing wrong with that. And we’re not asking him to always swing at strikes. It’s almost impossible to do. To hit is really hard. “But there are areas of the plate that he covers really well, so he can focus in those areas and stay in those areas, and then he can do damage. For us, it’s just to remind him of who he is.” Right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (1-0, 5.87 ERA) has the starting assignment for the Astros in the second game of the series on Saturday. McCullers has not recorded a decision in his last two starts despite allowing nine runs on 10 hits and five walks with eight strikeouts in 8 1/3 innings in two Houston losses. He was stellar in his season debut against the Boston Red Sox on March 30, yielding one run on four hits and one walk with nine strikeouts in seven innings. McCullers will make his first career start against the Cardinals. In 18 career interleague starts, he is 6-7 with a 4.32 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 93 2/3 innings. Right-hander Andre Pallante (1-1, 4.80 ERA) is the scheduled starter for the Cardinals on Saturday. Pallante allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and one walk with two strikeouts in five innings of a 9-3 loss to the Red Sox on Sunday, tripling the earned runs allowed from his first two starts combined. Pallante tossed five shutout innings at the New York Mets in his season debut on March 31. Pallante is 0-1 with a 16.20 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against the Astros. In his lone start against Houston on June 4, 2024, he allowed six runs on six hits and three walks with one strikeout in three innings in an 8-5 road loss. The Cardinals announced on Friday that right-hander Richard Fitts underwent season-ending surgery to address a right lat strain that recently resulted in his being placed on the minor league injury list. Fitts arrived from Boston as part of the trade that shipped right-hander Sonny Gray to the Red Sox during the offseason. Fitts went 2-5 with a 3.97 ERA in 15 appearances (14 starts) across two seasons with the Red Sox. He made three starts with Triple-A Memphis this season (2-0, 1.76 ERA) before landing on the IL. “It’s someone that we definitely were going to count on providing some innings and helping when the time presented itself this year,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “Really unfortunate because it’s someone that we would have liked to see and a really good competitor.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Yainer #Diaz #struggling #Astros #aim #series #CardsApr 13, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz (21) hits an RBI-single against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Houston catcher Yainer Diaz was absent from the starting lineup on Friday when the Astros lost 9-4 to the visiting St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a three-game interleague series.

While the Astros have enjoyed success offensively this season, leading the American League in several categories, Diaz has labored. He is batting .094, with an on-base percentage of .094 and a slugging percentage of .188, since his last multi-hit game on April 4 against the Athletics, a span of eight games.

Diaz, 27, is batting .186 for the season, with one homer and nine RBIs. Astros manager Joe Espada said the club is working with him to tweak some things related to his approach at the plate.

“You always want to remind yourself that the hitters are who they are,” Espada said. “Yainer Diaz has always been someone who likes to swing, and there’s nothing wrong with that. And we’re not asking him to always swing at strikes. It’s almost impossible to do. To hit is really hard.

“But there are areas of the plate that he covers really well, so he can focus in those areas and stay in those areas, and then he can do damage. For us, it’s just to remind him of who he is.”

Right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (1-0, 5.87 ERA) has the starting assignment for the Astros in the second game of the series on Saturday.

McCullers has not recorded a decision in his last two starts despite allowing nine runs on 10 hits and five walks with eight strikeouts in 8 1/3 innings in two Houston losses. He was stellar in his season debut against the Boston Red Sox on March 30, yielding one run on four hits and one walk with nine strikeouts in seven innings.


McCullers will make his first career start against the Cardinals. In 18 career interleague starts, he is 6-7 with a 4.32 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 93 2/3 innings.

Right-hander Andre Pallante (1-1, 4.80 ERA) is the scheduled starter for the Cardinals on Saturday.

Pallante allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and one walk with two strikeouts in five innings of a 9-3 loss to the Red Sox on Sunday, tripling the earned runs allowed from his first two starts combined. Pallante tossed five shutout innings at the New York Mets in his season debut on March 31.

Pallante is 0-1 with a 16.20 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against the Astros. In his lone start against Houston on June 4, 2024, he allowed six runs on six hits and three walks with one strikeout in three innings in an 8-5 road loss.

The Cardinals announced on Friday that right-hander Richard Fitts underwent season-ending surgery to address a right lat strain that recently resulted in his being placed on the minor league injury list.

Fitts arrived from Boston as part of the trade that shipped right-hander Sonny Gray to the Red Sox during the offseason. Fitts went 2-5 with a 3.97 ERA in 15 appearances (14 starts) across two seasons with the Red Sox. He made three starts with Triple-A Memphis this season (2-0, 1.76 ERA) before landing on the IL.

“It’s someone that we definitely were going to count on providing some innings and helping when the time presented itself this year,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “Really unfortunate because it’s someone that we would have liked to see and a really good competitor.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Yainer #Diaz #struggling #Astros #aim #series #Cards">Deadspin | With Yainer Diaz struggling, Astros aim to even series vs. Cards Apr 13, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz (21) hits an RBI-single against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images Houston catcher Yainer Diaz was absent from the starting lineup on Friday when the Astros lost 9-4 to the visiting St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a three-game interleague series. While the Astros have enjoyed success offensively this season, leading the American League in several categories, Diaz has labored. He is batting .094, with an on-base percentage of .094 and a slugging percentage of .188, since his last multi-hit game on April 4 against the Athletics, a span of eight games. Diaz, 27, is batting .186 for the season, with one homer and nine RBIs. Astros manager Joe Espada said the club is working with him to tweak some things related to his approach at the plate. “You always want to remind yourself that the hitters are who they are,” Espada said. “Yainer Diaz has always been someone who likes to swing, and there’s nothing wrong with that. And we’re not asking him to always swing at strikes. It’s almost impossible to do. To hit is really hard. “But there are areas of the plate that he covers really well, so he can focus in those areas and stay in those areas, and then he can do damage. For us, it’s just to remind him of who he is.” Right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (1-0, 5.87 ERA) has the starting assignment for the Astros in the second game of the series on Saturday. McCullers has not recorded a decision in his last two starts despite allowing nine runs on 10 hits and five walks with eight strikeouts in 8 1/3 innings in two Houston losses. He was stellar in his season debut against the Boston Red Sox on March 30, yielding one run on four hits and one walk with nine strikeouts in seven innings. McCullers will make his first career start against the Cardinals. In 18 career interleague starts, he is 6-7 with a 4.32 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 93 2/3 innings. Right-hander Andre Pallante (1-1, 4.80 ERA) is the scheduled starter for the Cardinals on Saturday. Pallante allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and one walk with two strikeouts in five innings of a 9-3 loss to the Red Sox on Sunday, tripling the earned runs allowed from his first two starts combined. Pallante tossed five shutout innings at the New York Mets in his season debut on March 31. Pallante is 0-1 with a 16.20 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against the Astros. In his lone start against Houston on June 4, 2024, he allowed six runs on six hits and three walks with one strikeout in three innings in an 8-5 road loss. The Cardinals announced on Friday that right-hander Richard Fitts underwent season-ending surgery to address a right lat strain that recently resulted in his being placed on the minor league injury list. Fitts arrived from Boston as part of the trade that shipped right-hander Sonny Gray to the Red Sox during the offseason. Fitts went 2-5 with a 3.97 ERA in 15 appearances (14 starts) across two seasons with the Red Sox. He made three starts with Triple-A Memphis this season (2-0, 1.76 ERA) before landing on the IL. “It’s someone that we definitely were going to count on providing some innings and helping when the time presented itself this year,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “Really unfortunate because it’s someone that we would have liked to see and a really good competitor.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Yainer #Diaz #struggling #Astros #aim #series #Cards

#Doriane #Pin #completes #maiden #test #Mercedes">Doriane Pin completes maiden F1 test for Mercedes Mercedes development driver Doriane Pin completed another major step on her potential journey to the Formula 1 grid, completing a test session for the team at the historic Silverstone circuit.Pin, the 2025 F1 Academy champion, completed 76 laps in the W12, the car that helped power Mercedes to the 2021 Constructors’ Championship. It was her first time turning laps in F1 machinery, and she completed 200 kilometers during her session on Friday.“Driving an F1 car for the first time today was unreal. I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity and to be surrounded by this incredible team. It was a unique opportunity and I made sure to enjoy my day to the fullest, along with doing the best job I could. Whilst being a female driver doesn’t define me, it was great to show what we can do. It was an extremely emotional day and I’m also thankful I was able to share this experience with my family,” said Pin after the test session.“The W12 is obviously really different from the other cars I’ve been able to drive. Everything is different, bigger and more powerful. I am glad I was able to build confidence lap after lap and show what I was capable of.”Andrew Shovlin, the team’s trackside engineering director, hailed Pin’s “preparation and professionalism” after the session.”It’s been great to have Doriane complete a day of testing with the W12 today. It marks another major step on what is proving to be a very exciting and promising career and also makes her the first ever female driver of a Mercedes F1 car,” said Shovlin.“Her preparation and professionalism has impressed the whole team and she should be really proud of what she has achieved. Whatever series you come from, it is always a massive step when getting into an F1 car but she looked at home from the very first laps and was able to enjoy driving the car on the limit.”Pin became the first Frenchwoman to drive modern F1 machinery in the session.In addition to her role with Mercedes, Pin will drive with Duqueine Team for their 2026 European Le Mans Series, competing in the LMP2 Pro/AM Class. This will give Pin a chance at driving in the Le Mans 24 Hours for the second time, as she made her debut at that historic event back in 2023. #Doriane #Pin #completes #maiden #test #Mercedes

FC Goa produced a commanding performance to beat league leader Mumbai City FC 2-0 at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday, handing Mumbai its first defeat of the Indian Super League season.

Goals from Sahil Tavora and Muhammed Nemil Valiyattil, including a stunning long-range strike just before half-time, ensured the Gaurs made the most of their dominance, while a disciplined defensive display kept Mumbai City at bay. Nemil was named Player of the Match for his influential performance.

The host started brightly, controlling possession in the opening exchanges and moving the ball with purpose to break down Mumbai City’s organised defensive structure. Early efforts from Raynier Fernandes and Tavora underlined Goa’s attacking intent, though the Islanders’ backline, marshalled by Nuno Reis and Bijay Chhetri, held firm.

Mumbai City looked to threaten on the counter through Jorge Pereyra Díaz and Noufal PN, but clear chances were limited as Goa dictated the tempo.

The breakthrough came in the 29th minute following sustained pressure. A corner from Dejan Dražić caused confusion inside the Mumbai penalty area, and after an initial effort was blocked, Tavora reacted quickest to guide the loose ball into the bottom corner.

Mumbai responded with attempts from Noufal and Joni Kauko, but Goa remained the more composed side.

The Gaurs doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time through a moment of brilliance. Muhammed Nemil, found by Raynier after an aerial duel, took a touch and unleashed a left-footed strike from nearly 35 yards into the top corner, leaving Phurba Lachenpa with no chance.

ALSO READ: First-half goals help Kerala Blasters beat Jamshedpur FC for first home win of season

Holding a 2-0 lead at the break, Goa entered the second half with confidence, while Mumbai City pushed forward in search of a way back.

The Islanders dominated possession after the restart, but Goa’s defensive unit, led by Pol Moreno and Sandesh Jhingan, remained resolute. Efforts from Pereyra Díaz and Lallianzuala Chhangte failed to trouble Hrithik Tiwari as Mumbai struggled to find a cutting edge.

Mumbai continued to press, introducing substitutes late on, but Goa’s organisation ensured clear openings were scarce. Tiwari made key saves, including one to deny Vikram Partap Singh, while long-range efforts from Noufal and Chhangte went off target.

In the closing stages, Mumbai came close when Chhangte delivered a dangerous cross, but Zothanpuia failed to connect, summing up a frustrating evening for the visitor.

At full-time, FC Goa secured a deserved win to move up to third in the table with 16 points from nine matches. Mumbai City, despite the defeat, remained top with 18 points as its unbeaten run came to an end.

Published on Apr 18, 2026

#ISL #Tavora #Nemil #target #Goa #beats #Mumbai #City #hand #defeat #season">ISL 2025-26: Tavora, Nemil on target as FC Goa beats Mumbai City to hand first defeat of season FC Goa produced a commanding performance to beat league leader Mumbai City FC 2-0 at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday, handing Mumbai its first defeat of the Indian Super League season.Goals from Sahil Tavora and Muhammed Nemil Valiyattil, including a stunning long-range strike just before half-time, ensured the Gaurs made the most of their dominance, while a disciplined defensive display kept Mumbai City at bay. Nemil was named Player of the Match for his influential performance.The host started brightly, controlling possession in the opening exchanges and moving the ball with purpose to break down Mumbai City’s organised defensive structure. Early efforts from Raynier Fernandes and Tavora underlined Goa’s attacking intent, though the Islanders’ backline, marshalled by Nuno Reis and Bijay Chhetri, held firm.Mumbai City looked to threaten on the counter through Jorge Pereyra Díaz and Noufal PN, but clear chances were limited as Goa dictated the tempo.The breakthrough came in the 29th minute following sustained pressure. A corner from Dejan Dražić caused confusion inside the Mumbai penalty area, and after an initial effort was blocked, Tavora reacted quickest to guide the loose ball into the bottom corner.Mumbai responded with attempts from Noufal and Joni Kauko, but Goa remained the more composed side.The Gaurs doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time through a moment of brilliance. Muhammed Nemil, found by Raynier after an aerial duel, took a touch and unleashed a left-footed strike from nearly 35 yards into the top corner, leaving Phurba Lachenpa with no chance.ALSO READ: First-half goals help Kerala Blasters beat Jamshedpur FC for first home win of seasonHolding a 2-0 lead at the break, Goa entered the second half with confidence, while Mumbai City pushed forward in search of a way back.The Islanders dominated possession after the restart, but Goa’s defensive unit, led by Pol Moreno and Sandesh Jhingan, remained resolute. Efforts from Pereyra Díaz and Lallianzuala Chhangte failed to trouble Hrithik Tiwari as Mumbai struggled to find a cutting edge.Mumbai continued to press, introducing substitutes late on, but Goa’s organisation ensured clear openings were scarce. Tiwari made key saves, including one to deny Vikram Partap Singh, while long-range efforts from Noufal and Chhangte went off target.In the closing stages, Mumbai came close when Chhangte delivered a dangerous cross, but Zothanpuia failed to connect, summing up a frustrating evening for the visitor.At full-time, FC Goa secured a deserved win to move up to third in the table with 16 points from nine matches. Mumbai City, despite the defeat, remained top with 18 points as its unbeaten run came to an end.Published on Apr 18, 2026 #ISL #Tavora #Nemil #target #Goa #beats #Mumbai #City #hand #defeat #season

First-half goals help Kerala Blasters beat Jamshedpur FC for first home win of season

Holding a 2-0 lead at the break, Goa entered the second half with confidence, while Mumbai City pushed forward in search of a way back.

The Islanders dominated possession after the restart, but Goa’s defensive unit, led by Pol Moreno and Sandesh Jhingan, remained resolute. Efforts from Pereyra Díaz and Lallianzuala Chhangte failed to trouble Hrithik Tiwari as Mumbai struggled to find a cutting edge.

Mumbai continued to press, introducing substitutes late on, but Goa’s organisation ensured clear openings were scarce. Tiwari made key saves, including one to deny Vikram Partap Singh, while long-range efforts from Noufal and Chhangte went off target.

In the closing stages, Mumbai came close when Chhangte delivered a dangerous cross, but Zothanpuia failed to connect, summing up a frustrating evening for the visitor.

At full-time, FC Goa secured a deserved win to move up to third in the table with 16 points from nine matches. Mumbai City, despite the defeat, remained top with 18 points as its unbeaten run came to an end.

Published on Apr 18, 2026

#ISL #Tavora #Nemil #target #Goa #beats #Mumbai #City #hand #defeat #season">ISL 2025-26: Tavora, Nemil on target as FC Goa beats Mumbai City to hand first defeat of season

FC Goa produced a commanding performance to beat league leader Mumbai City FC 2-0 at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday, handing Mumbai its first defeat of the Indian Super League season.

Goals from Sahil Tavora and Muhammed Nemil Valiyattil, including a stunning long-range strike just before half-time, ensured the Gaurs made the most of their dominance, while a disciplined defensive display kept Mumbai City at bay. Nemil was named Player of the Match for his influential performance.

The host started brightly, controlling possession in the opening exchanges and moving the ball with purpose to break down Mumbai City’s organised defensive structure. Early efforts from Raynier Fernandes and Tavora underlined Goa’s attacking intent, though the Islanders’ backline, marshalled by Nuno Reis and Bijay Chhetri, held firm.

Mumbai City looked to threaten on the counter through Jorge Pereyra Díaz and Noufal PN, but clear chances were limited as Goa dictated the tempo.

The breakthrough came in the 29th minute following sustained pressure. A corner from Dejan Dražić caused confusion inside the Mumbai penalty area, and after an initial effort was blocked, Tavora reacted quickest to guide the loose ball into the bottom corner.

Mumbai responded with attempts from Noufal and Joni Kauko, but Goa remained the more composed side.

The Gaurs doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time through a moment of brilliance. Muhammed Nemil, found by Raynier after an aerial duel, took a touch and unleashed a left-footed strike from nearly 35 yards into the top corner, leaving Phurba Lachenpa with no chance.

ALSO READ: First-half goals help Kerala Blasters beat Jamshedpur FC for first home win of season

Holding a 2-0 lead at the break, Goa entered the second half with confidence, while Mumbai City pushed forward in search of a way back.

The Islanders dominated possession after the restart, but Goa’s defensive unit, led by Pol Moreno and Sandesh Jhingan, remained resolute. Efforts from Pereyra Díaz and Lallianzuala Chhangte failed to trouble Hrithik Tiwari as Mumbai struggled to find a cutting edge.

Mumbai continued to press, introducing substitutes late on, but Goa’s organisation ensured clear openings were scarce. Tiwari made key saves, including one to deny Vikram Partap Singh, while long-range efforts from Noufal and Chhangte went off target.

In the closing stages, Mumbai came close when Chhangte delivered a dangerous cross, but Zothanpuia failed to connect, summing up a frustrating evening for the visitor.

At full-time, FC Goa secured a deserved win to move up to third in the table with 16 points from nine matches. Mumbai City, despite the defeat, remained top with 18 points as its unbeaten run came to an end.

Published on Apr 18, 2026

#ISL #Tavora #Nemil #target #Goa #beats #Mumbai #City #hand #defeat #season

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