Jaipur, March 17 – Amadou Soukouna’s first-half goal proved decisive as Rajasthan United FC edged out Real Kashmir FC by a narrow 1-0 margin to secure a hard-fought victory in the Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 at the Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium in Jaipur on Tuesday.
Real Kashmir were reduced to nine players after Habib Fofana was sent off in the 58th minute for a second yellow card, and Calvin Baretto was shown a direct red card in stoppage time for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
The result saw Rajasthan United provisionally climb to the top of the table with seven points, while Real Kashmir dropped to the bottom with two. Amadou Soukouna was named Player of the Match.
The hosts dominated possession early on, patiently building from the back. Real Kashmir goalkeeper Furqan Ahmed made a timely interception in the 10th minute to deny an early opportunity.
The visitors had a chance in the 13th minute from a Kamal Issah free-kick, but Rajasthan defender Abdul Samed headed it clear. Real Kashmir's defence, marshalled by Basit Ahmed Bhat and Habib Fofana, remained compact to frustrate Rajasthan's attacking moves.
Ahteeb Ahmad Dar had a sight of goal in the 26th minute but fired over the bar, while Rajasthan came close in the 36th minute when Jonathan Fernandes' free-kick was parried by Furqan, with Soukouna unable to convert the rebound.
Soukouna continued to threaten and finally broke the deadlock in the first-half stoppage time. Jordan Lamela delivered a precise cross from the right, and the French striker finished with a first-time strike into the bottom corner to give Rajasthan United the lead at halftime. He could have doubled the lead the very next minute, but the Real Kashmir goalkeeper safely collected the shot.
Real Kashmir pushed for an equaliser after the restart, but Rajasthan remained resolute at the back. The game took a decisive turn in the 58th minute when Habib Fofana received a second yellow card, reducing the visitors to ten players.
Despite being a man down, Real Kashmir continued to press forward, while Rajasthan looked to capitalise on the advantage with fresh legs coming on as substitutes.
Both sides created half-chances in the closing stages, but neither could find the finishing touch. Rajasthan came close to doubling their lead late on, but Soukouna was denied, while substitute Naoba Meitei also missed from promising positions.
In the final moments, Real Kashmir substitute Calvin Baretto was also shown a red card for denying Soukouna a goal-scoring opportunity, compounding a difficult outing for the visitors.
Rajasthan United held firm to secure a 1-0 victory, with Soukouna's goal enough to secure three points and put them at the top of the standings.