Zomuasanga gave the hosts the lead in the 12th minute, but Rajasthan United equalised in the 32nd minute through Pedro Astray. Aizawl pulled away in the second half with goals from Vincent Lalduhawma and a long-range strike by Lalhriatpuia in injury time.
Aizawl FC Head Coach R. Lalruatfela kept faith in his all-Mizo starting eleven, naming an unchanged side for the game, while Rajasthan United FC Head Coach Vikrant Sharma made three changes, bringing in defenders William Pauliankhum, Lalfelkima and Spaniard Gerard Artigas in place of Kynsailang Khongsit, Pragyan Sundar Gogoi and Jordan Lamela.
The home side looked the more settled of the two sides and took advantage of a defensive lapse from Rajasthan to take the lead 12 minutes from the start. Vincent Lalduhawma floated in a fine cross from the touchline towards Zomuasanga, who was the only attacker inside the box. The striker rose high and planted a thumping header, leaving the three defenders and the goalkeeper rooted to the spot for the opening goal of the game.
Rajasthan, who had been second best in the game until the half-hour mark, equalised through a set piece in the 32nd minute. Shafeel PP launched a long throw-in deep into the box, which was only half-cleared by the Aizawl defence and fell into the path of Pedro Astray. The Spaniard’s shot found the net past the goalkeeper after taking a deflection off Vanlalawpuia, who also blocked the keeper’s line of sight.
The first half ended 1-1, with both teams looking lively on the pitch but unable to create any clear scoring opportunities.
The visitors started the second half on the front foot, maintaining possession in the opposition half. Aizawl defended with composure, restricting Rajasthan United to attempts from outside the box, while looking dangerous on the counter at the other end.
Aizawl regained the lead in the 69th minute through a well-worked team move. Laltlanzova nicked the ball off a defender at the edge of the box and rolled a pass to Lalrempuia. The left-back, who had been impressive on the wings throughout the night, curled a powerful cross into the box. Vincent, who assisted the first goal, arrived from the blind side of Abhishek Ambekar and powered a header past goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri.
After going a goal behind, Rajasthan had to increase the tempo of the game as Vikrant Sharma introduced fresh legs to give the side a new dimension. Aizawl, however, continued to execute their game plan to perfection, defending with composure and protecting their lead well, with Rajasthan unable to create anything of real substance.
The hosts put the game to bed in injury time with an absolute screamer from substitute Lalhriatpuia. The striker’s long-range effort from around 30 yards flew into the net, giving the goalkeeper no chance as Aizawl secured all three points on the night.