Guwahati, March 15 (NationPress) In a thrilling encounter, Andy Rodríguez netted two crucial second-half goals, leading NorthEast United FC to a 2-1 triumph over Jamshedpur FC during the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on Sunday.

The Highlanders celebrated their inaugural victory of the season, climbing to seventh place with six points, whereas Jamshedpur FC faced their first loss but retained second position with 12 points. Rodríguez's remarkable performance earned him the title of Player of the Match.

NorthEast United FC's head coach, Juan Pedro Benali, implemented three changes in his starting eleven, introducing Bekey Oram and Laishram Danny Meitei in midfield along with defender Dinesh Singh, adopting a 4-3-2-1 formation. Jamshedpur's head coach Owen Coyle also made two midfield adjustments, incorporating Rei Tachikawa and Rosenberg Gabriel while maintaining the same tactical structure.

The match commenced energetically, with both teams exchanging possession in the early minutes but struggling to penetrate the final third. In the 13th minute, Jamshedpur goalkeeper Albino Gomes executed a sweeping clearance outside the box, thwarting a potential scoring opportunity for the hosts.

Jamshedpur created the first significant chance in the 19th minute when Messi Bouli connected with Mohammed Sanan’s cross, but his header narrowly missed the target. NorthEast quickly responded, with midfielder Macarton Nickson testing Gomes from distance, although the goalkeeper comfortably dealt with the effort.

The Highlanders began to pose a greater threat in attack, with Parthib Gogoi challenging the defence before being fouled by centre-back Pratik Chaudhari during a promising run in the 27th minute.

NorthEast faced an early setback in the 39th minute when captain Míchel Zabaco had to be substituted due to a hamstring injury, with Asheer Akhtar stepping in. Just before halftime, the Highlanders almost took the lead when midfielder Danny Meitei headed over from an Andy Rodríguez corner, leaving the first half goalless.

Eight minutes into the second half, NorthEast broke the stalemate. Andy Rodríguez took a free-kick in the 53rd minute and executed a precise left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner, giving the Highlanders the advantage.

Jamshedpur responded with attempts from Nikola Stojanović and Rei Tachikawa, but neither could threaten the goal. Stojanović later forced a save from Gurmeet Singh in the 58th minute as the visitors ramped up the pressure.

The Men of Steel were awarded a penalty in the 66th minute when Bouli was fouled inside the box by Dinesh Singh. Bouli took the penalty and confidently converted it in the 68th minute, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to equalize at 1-1.

However, NorthEast quickly regained the lead. Just a minute later, Rodríguez received the ball at the edge of the box and unleashed a clinical left-footed strike into the net, marking his second goal and putting the score at 2-1 in the 69th minute.

Jamshedpur continued their pursuit of an equalizer, with Bouli attempting a long-range shot in the 79th minute that went wide. NorthEast also sought to extend their lead, but Ankith Padmanabhan’s effort in the 85th minute was blocked.

In the 89th minute, the hosts came close again when substitute Thoi Singh narrowly missed with a shot from inside the box. Jamshedpur pushed forward in stoppage time, but Stojanović’s long-range shot in injury time flew wide of the target.

As the final whistle blew, NorthEast United FC celebrated a 2-1 victory, thanks to Andy Rodríguez’s brace that secured their first win of the season.