Chanmari FC came from behind to defeat Dempo SC 2-1 in the Indian Football League (IFL) 2026–27 at the PJN Stadium, Margao on Sunday, 15 November 2026, with Lalthanzuala scoring in the first minute of stoppage time to secure the visitors' first win of the season. The result moves Chanmari up to fourth in the table with four points from two matches, while Dempo remain third with six points from three games.

How the Goals Fell

Dempo needed just three minutes to draw first blood. Chanmari had started on the front foot, pushing players forward, only to be caught by a swift counter-attack. Laximanrao Rane, overlapping on the left, took a touch, looked up, and curled a powerful shot past goalkeeper Zothanmawia into the top right-hand corner — Dempo's very first shot of the evening.

Chanmari's task grew harder when Seila Toure was stretchered off in the early exchanges, forcing a reshuffle. The home side's left-channel threat, led by Saiesh Bagkar and the overlapping Rane, stretched Chanmari's right flank. But the visitors steadied around the quarter-hour mark, taking control of possession in the Dempo half.

The equaliser arrived in the 23rd minute. Denilson Rodrigues found Gabriel Ferreira Paz on the left; a crisp one-two followed, Ferreira Paz carried the ball into the box, and his low delivery across the six-yard area was side-footed home first time by R Ramdinthara.

A Breathless First Half

The equaliser shifted momentum sharply. The closing stages of the first half became end-to-end. In the 36th minute, Arnold Oliveira's cross from the right dropped onto the crossbar. Within a minute, a Chanmari break saw Subhajit Bhattacharjee's clearance strike Athul Unnikrishnan and roll towards the empty net — only to slide just past the post. Three minutes later, Zothanmawia blocked Uzziel Budu's chip with his neck. The sides went in level at the break.

Second-Half Chess Match

A run of midfield fouls made the opening exchanges of the second half stop-start as both teams fought for control of the centre. Once that battle settled, both sides turned to the flanks. The first clear chance of the half fell to Dempo in the 63rd minute: Vinay Harji played a first-time through ball to Cledson da Silva, but with K Lalrinfela marking closely, Cledson had to stretch, and Zothanmawia came bravely off his line to save at his feet.

Chanmari had an even clearer opportunity two minutes later. A cross from the right found Denilson with the goalkeeper on the ground — but his close-range effort went high and wide. From the 75th minute, Dempo raised their intensity, sending a steady stream of crosses into the box. Chanmari's backline held its compact shape, with Zothanmawia proactive in organising his defence and repeatedly coming off his line to collect.

Stoppage-Time Sucker Punch

The decisive moment arrived in the first minute of stoppage time. Guite Vanlalpeka picked up the ball in the final third and found Lalpekhlua running to his right. Lalpekhlua elected not to shoot, instead flashing a pass across the face of goal beyond the diving Subhajit. Lalthanzuala drove it into the open net to complete the comeback, earning the Man of the Match award in the process.

What Comes Next

Dempo return to the PJN Stadium in Fatorda to host Shillong Lajong FC on Wednesday, 19 November. Chanmari, buoyed by their first win, travel to Jaipur to face Rajasthan United FC at the Vidyadhar Nagar Stadium on Friday, 20 November. Both fixtures will be closely watched as the early-season standings begin to take shape.