FC Goa Vs Al-Zawraa Highlights, AFC Champions League 2: ALZ Hold On For 2-1 Win Against Short-Handed FCF

Greetings and welcome, everyone. We are back with another football blog, featuring FC Goa against Iraq's Al-Zawraa SC in Baghdad. Stay with us for the build-up and live updates.

The FC Goa vs Al-Zawraa, AFC Champions League Two 2025-26 match will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website in India. There will be no television broadcast of the match in the country.

Starting XI: Hrithik Tiwari (Gk), Sandesh Jhingan (C), Pol Moreno Sanchez, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Sahil Tavora, Boris Singh, Borja Herrera, Akash Sangwan, Iker Guarrotxena, Brison Fernandes, Dejan Drazic.

Starting XI: Jalal Hassan (GK) (C), Maytham Jabbar Al Farttoosi, Akam Hashim Rahman, Mahdi Humaidan, Hasan Abdulkareem Sayyid, Dhurgham Ismael Al-Quraishi, Kadhim Raad Albu-Mohammed, Karar Nabeel Ajanat, Clarence Junior Bitang, Nizar Alrashdan, Ibrahim Gbadamosi.

The Gaurs enter a tough away clash chasing crucial points after a 0-2 setback in their opener. With qualification hopes hanging by a thread, only back-to-back wins can keep their campaign alive. Al Zawraa face the same must-win pressure, setting the stage for a fierce, high-stakes battle under the West Asian lights. Stay tuned for live updates.

Al Zawraa win the first corner of the evening, with Mahdi stepping up to swing it in. It’s a threatening delivery, but FC Goa stay switched on as Hrithik leads the clearance with solid defending.

A sharp move from FC Goa nearly produces the opener, slicing through Al Zawraa’s backline with real intent. But the hosts recover in time to deny the finish. Borja and Akash continue to combine brilliantly down the left, causing constant trouble with their energy and link-up play.

FC Goa are showing real intent in this tricky away fixture, confidently pushing forward and playing positive football. Brison has been lively on the right, while Akash continues to trouble defenders on the left. Their deliveries have created multiple openings for Borja, Drazic, and Guarrotxena, who are constantly probing inside the box. Goa look sharp and purposeful as they chase the breakthrough.

Drama unfolds in Iraq as Al-Zawraa are awarded a penalty, and things go from bad to worse for FC Goa. Akash Sangwan receives his second yellow of the night, and Goa are suddenly down to 10 men. Ibrahim steps up with confidence, nine goals last season and already three in ten outings, but he sends the penalty wide, a huge let-off for the visitors. A massive missed opportunity for Al-Zawraa, and Goa breathe again.

Kadhim is left absolutely unmarked, and he makes no mistake, slotting in a much-needed goal for Al-Zawraa against 10-man FC Goa. A calm finish from 22-year-old Kadhim Raad Albu-Mohammed gives the hosts the breakthrough.

The whistle goes in Baghdad after a lively first half. Goa started brighter with sharp counters, but Akash’s red card changed the rhythm. Ibrahim missed a big penalty chance, yet Al-Zawraa’s pressure finally told as 22-year-old Kadhim Mohammed finished unmarked. Goa down to 10, and Manolo Márquez has work to do in the second half.

Both teams gather in a quick huddle, resetting their focus for the next 45 minutes. No substitutions yet as we resume with the same XI on both sides. The stage is set for an intense finish.

Out of absolutely nowhere, FC Goa are back level! A teasing free-kick causes chaos in the Al-Zawraa box, and Durgham Ismael ends up turning it into his own net. A huge slice of luck for 10-man Goa, but they won’t mind one bit, it’s 1-1.

FC Goa and Al-Zawraa are finding plenty of joy down the left flank, repeatedly carving out openings. The game is flowing end to end, with chances brewing on both sides.

Hasan Sayyid, wearing the No. 10 shirt, steps up when it matters and finishes confidently to restore the lead for the Iraqi side. Goa’s defence is caught stretched, and Al-Zawraa make them pay to go 2-1 up.

There’s no clear plan on the ball, and they’re repeatedly losing possession in dangerous areas. The introductions of Siverio and Rabeeh haven’t made any real impact so far, leaving Goa struggling to build anything meaningful as time runs out.

Corner for Al-Zawraa, but Sandesh Jhingan rises strong and clears it decisively. A solid defensive moment from the veteran centre-back to keep Goa alive in the contest.

The referee blows for full-time in Baghdad, and it’s a massive result for Al-Zawraa. The home side edge out a 10-man FC Goa with a hard-fought 2–1 victory. Goa battled bravely after the red card, even grabbing an equaliser, but Al-Zawraa’s second-half pressure proved too much in the end. A huge win for the Iraqi side.