At a time when Indian football continues to struggle with uncertainty and structural issues, the Minerva Academy has produced a result that seems to be bigger than just the score. Their U-15 team dismantled Liverpool FC 6-0 in the MIC Cup round of 16, offering a rare and powerful reminder of what Indian football can look like when things go right.
It wasn’t just a win, it was a statement against one of the most respected youth systems in world football. In a 50-minute contest, Minerva outplayed Liverpool with a level of clarity, structure and confidence rarely associated with Indian teams on the global stage.
The result takes on even more weight when placed in context. The MIC Cup, or Mediterranean International Cup, is one of the most prestigious youth tournaments in world football, held annually in the Spanish region of Costa Brava. It attracts elite academies such as Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Manchester United and Liverpool, with several future stars coming through the competition over the years.
For Minerva, this campaign was as much about consistency as it was about moments. Much of this U-15 squad is made up of the same core that has already taken Europe by storm at U-14 level, winning the Gothia Cup, Dana Cup and Norway Cup in 2025. That continuity has been key, with the group now seamlessly carrying that winning momentum into a higher age group and even tougher competition.
HOW MINERVA TOOK LIVERPOOL
What stood out was not just dominance, but maturity. Minerva’s players combined tactical discipline with attacking intent, making clever runs, linking play effortlessly and controlling the tempo of the game.
On the field, the gap between the two sides was clear. Azam Khan, Lisham Amarson Singh and Raj Singh gave Minerva a 3-0 lead in the first half. The second half only extended the lead, with Raj completing his hat-trick and Azam adding his second to seal a remarkable 6-0 victory.
Liverpool tried to respond but they couldn’t match the intensity or organisation. Minerva pushed with purpose, transitioned quickly and rarely allowed her opponents to settle – a sign of a system that had clearly been built over time.
This victory is not an isolated moment. It is part of a growing pattern that has seen Minerva’s youth teams consistently challenge and defeat top academies across Europe. From major youth tournaments at the U-14 level to U-15 performances in the MIC Cup, they have shown that Indian football, at least at the grassroots level, can compete with the very best.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
03 Apr 2026 23:05 IST
