ISL 2026/27: Messi Bouli's 90+5 winner gives Punjab FC 2-1 victory over Odisha FC
Synopsis
Messi Bouli struck twice — once in the opening minute and again in the 90+5th minute — to give Punjab FC a dramatic 2-1 win over Odisha FC in their ISL 2026/27 season opener at New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. It was a nervy debut that showcased the league's capacity for late drama right from matchday one.
Key Takeaways
Punjab FC defeated Odisha FC 2-1 in the ISL 2026/27 season opener at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi on 14 October 2026 .
Messi Bouli scored both Punjab goals — an early right-footed finish inside the opening minute and the winning left-footed strike in the 90+5th minute .
Thoiba Moirangthem headed Odisha level in the 15th minute from a Lalthathanga Khawlhring corner delivery.
Both sides went into half-time at 1-1 after a half full of missed chances.
Punjab FC goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh and Odisha FC goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari both made key saves to keep the contest alive deep into added time.
Punjab FC opened their Indian Super League (ISL) 2026/27 campaign with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Odisha FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. Striker Messi Bouli was the hero, netting the decisive goal in the 90+5th minute to hand the Shers all three points in a contest that ebbed and flowed throughout.
Early Strike, Quick Equaliser
Punjab FC wasted no time making their presence felt. Inside the opening minute, Muhammed Uvais delivered a cross into the box and Messi Bouli met it with a composed right-footed finish into the bottom-right corner to give Punjab the lead. It was one of the fastest goals of the season.
Odisha FC, however, restored parity swiftly. In the 15th minute, Lalthathanga Khawlhring whipped a corner into the area and Thoiba Moirangthem powered a header into the bottom-right corner to level the score at 1-1. The Juggernauts' set-piece delivery proved clinical.
A First Half of Missed Chances
Alfred Planas tested Odisha FC goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari before the break, while Mahmoud Eid spurned an opening from inside the box in the 18th minute for the visitors. Ricky Shabong and Bijoy Varghese also went close for Punjab, and Stephen Eze tried his luck from distance in first-half stoppage time. The two sides headed into the dressing room locked at 1-1.
Tense Second Half, Goalkeepers Earn Their Keep
The second half opened with Giorgi Aburjania sending an effort just over the crossbar for Odisha FC in the 46th minute. Bouli himself missed the target in the 51st minute following a cross from Planas, a chance he would make amends for much later. Punjab pushed hard — Planas fired over in the 56th minute, Hrithik Tiwari denied Diego Raposo two minutes later, and Varghese narrowly missed with a header from Khaiminthang Lhungdim's corner delivery in the 61st minute.
Odisha responded by introducing Éverton Nascimento and Lalrinfela Khiangte in the 64th minute. Rahim Ali and Stephen Eze threatened with headers around the 80th minute, while Eid tested Punjab goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh from range — only to be denied.
Bouli Seals It in Dramatic Fashion
Punjab substitute Gurkirat Singh was kept out by Tiwari in the 85th minute, and Muhammed Uvais went narrowly wide with a long-ranger in the 86th minute. Odisha had a chance of their own in added time — Suhair VP sent an effort wide before Arshdeep denied Nihal Sudheesh at the near post in the 90+5th minute.
Punjab struck immediately from the other end. Vishal Yadav found Messi Bouli inside the box, and the forward finished coolly with his left foot to send the Shers' bench into celebration. The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 win and a perfect start to Punjab's ISL season.
The result leaves Punjab FC with 3 points from their opening fixture, while Odisha FC will need to regroup ahead of their next assignment. With both squads showing attacking intent and quality in the final third, the ISL 2026/27 season promises to be keenly contested.
Point of View
Fragile mid-game, dramatic late. Messi Bouli's brace flatters the performance slightly; Odisha FC created enough chances to merit at least a point. The real test for Punjab will come in away fixtures, where their defensive shape will be scrutinised far more than it was here. For Odisha, the Juggernauts' set-piece delivery remains a weapon, but their inability to hold onto a lead — a recurring issue — will concern the coaching staff as the season unfolds.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between Punjab FC and Odisha FC in ISL 2026/27?
Punjab FC won 2-1 against Odisha FC in their ISL 2026/27 season opener at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on 14 October 2026. Messi Bouli scored both Punjab goals, with the winner coming in the 90+5th minute.
Who scored for Punjab FC against Odisha FC?
Messi Bouli scored both goals for Punjab FC. He netted the opener inside the first minute with a right-footed finish and then sealed the win in the 90+5th minute with a left-footed strike set up by Vishal Yadav.
Who scored for Odisha FC in the match?
Thoiba Moirangthem equalised for Odisha FC in the 15th minute, heading home from a corner delivered by Lalthathanga Khawlhring to level the score at 1-1.
Where was the ISL 2026/27 match between Punjab FC and Odisha FC played?
The match was played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, as Punjab FC's home venue for the contest.
How did the first half of the Punjab FC vs Odisha FC ISL match end?
The first half ended 1-1, with Punjab FC scoring inside the opening minute through Messi Bouli and Odisha FC levelling through a Thoiba Moirangthem header in the 15th minute. Both teams created further chances before the break but could not find a second goal.
