Match Report: Pahang Rangers 4-3 Selangor, Final 1st Leg
Pahang Rangers handed Selangor their first defeat of the season to take a narrow advantage in the first leg of the MPFL 2026 final.
Pahang Rangers handed Selangor their first defeat of the 2026 season, securing a 4-3 victory in the first leg of the MPFL final at the Stadium Tertutup SUKPA in Kuantan.
Edgar Baldasso's side, who arrived with a perfect 16-match winning record, opened the scoring in the 7th minute when Evandro Borges fired home to make it 0-1. Pahang Rangers suffered a setback in the same minute when Ahmad Harith was shown a red card, but the hosts responded brilliantly. Muhamad Razin pulled them back on level terms in the 11th minute, and despite Selangor's heavy pressure forcing keeper Mohd Afiq into a string of fine saves, the sides went into the break locked at 1-1.
Eloy Alonso's side took control after the restart. Rodrigo Da Silva gave Pahang the lead in the 24th minute to make it 2-1, and Muhammad Syarifuddin extended the advantage two minutes later for 3-1. The hosts looked to be cruising when top scorer Felipe De Souza made it 4-1 in the 33rd minute. However, Selangor battled back late on. Marlon reduced the deficit in the 34th minute for 4-2, and Evandro Borges grabbed his second of the match with a minute remaining to make it 4-3.
Pahang Rangers now take a narrow advantage into next Saturday's second leg in Shah Alam, where Selangor must win to force extra time.
