ISL 2026-27: Sanathoi's stoppage-time strike seals Punjab FC's 3-2 win over Churchill Brothers
Synopsis
Punjab FC came from level twice to snatch a 3-2 win in Goa's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, with Konsam Sanathoi Singh's right-footed finish in the fifth minute of stoppage time proving the difference. In a match that swung four times, it was the visitors' relentless late pressure — and Messi Bouli's tireless work as provider — that ultimately separated two evenly matched sides.
Key Takeaways
Punjab FC defeated Churchill Brothers 3-2 in ISL 2026-27 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa on 25 October 2026 .
Konsam Sanathoi Singh scored the winner in the 95th minute , assisted by Messi Bouli .
Sebastián Gutierrez scored twice for Churchill Brothers ( 37' , 45+2' ), levelling on both occasions.
Messi Bouli opened the scoring from the spot in the 13th minute and contributed two assists.
Spaniard Alfred Planas put Punjab FC ahead for the second time with a finish in the 40th minute .
Churchill Brothers goalkeeper Sayad Kadir made multiple key saves before Sanathoi Singh's late strike decided the contest.
Punjab FC claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Churchill Brothers in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa on 25 October 2026, with Konsam Sanathoi Singh firing in a stoppage-time winner to settle a pulsating five-goal contest. The match swung twice before the visitors finally edged ahead in the 95th minute to collect all three points.
How the Goals Fell
Messi Bouli opened the scoring in the 13th minute from the penalty spot after Gaurav Bora brought him down inside the area. Bouli dispatched a left-footed effort into the top-right corner to hand Punjab FC an early advantage.
Churchill Brothers levelled through Sebastián Gutierrez in the 37th minute, the Argentine forward slotting from close range after a Vincy Barretto cross. Punjab FC responded within three minutes: Spaniard Alfred Planas drilled a right-footed finish into the bottom-left corner in the 40th minute to make it 2-1.
The hosts refused to trail at the break. Gutierrez scored his second in first-half stoppage time (45+2'), turning a close-range effort into the bottom-left corner to level at 2-2 and keep the tie alive heading into the interval.
A Second Half of Missed Chances
The second period was tighter, with both goalkeepers standing firm. Churchill Brothers goalkeeper Sayad Kadir denied Bouli's header in the 55th minute before turning away a Sanathoi Singh effort from the centre of the box in the 82nd minute. At the other end, Punjab FC custodian Arshdeep Singh held a long-range effort from Wayde Lekay in the 75th minute.
The two goalkeepers kept the contest level heading into five minutes of added time, setting the stage for a grandstand finish.
Sanathoi Singh Seals It in Stoppage Time
The decisive moment arrived in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Bouli, already the architect of Punjab FC's opener and two assists across the match, picked out Sanathoi Singh inside the penalty area. The forward did not hesitate, driving a right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner to put Punjab FC ahead 3-2.
Churchill Brothers launched one final assault — Lekay sent a long-range attempt narrowly over the crossbar — but Punjab FC held firm to seal a memorable three points in Goa.
Significance for Punjab FC
The win underlines Punjab FC's resilience this ISL season, having twice fallen behind on aggregate before wrestling back the lead. This was no ordinary away victory: coming from 2-2 in the final moments against a competitive Churchill Brothers side at their own ground makes the result particularly significant for the Shers. The result will boost morale ahead of the busy mid-season phase of ISL 2026-27.
Churchill Brothers, meanwhile, will rue Gutierrez's two equalisers that ultimately went unrewarded, and will need to regroup quickly with further fixtures approaching.
Point of View
The game encapsulates a familiar ISL frustration: creating enough chances to win, only to be undone by a single moment of opponent quality when the scoreboard is level. Bouli's dual role as finisher and creative outlet is worth watching; if Punjab FC can keep him fit, he looks capable of shaping their season.
NationPress
25 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between Punjab FC and Churchill Brothers in ISL 2026-27?
Punjab FC won 3-2 against Churchill Brothers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on 25 October 2026. Konsam Sanathoi Singh's stoppage-time strike settled the five-goal contest.
Who scored the winning goal for Punjab FC against Churchill Brothers?
Konsam Sanathoi Singh scored the winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time, converting a right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner after being set up by Messi Bouli. It was the decisive moment in a match that had been level at 2-2.
Who scored for Churchill Brothers in the match?
Sebastián Gutierrez scored both goals for Churchill Brothers — in the 37th minute and in first-half stoppage time (45+2') — levelling the score on each occasion before Punjab FC found a late winner.
Where was the ISL 2026-27 Punjab FC vs Churchill Brothers match played?
The match was played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on 25 October 2026. Churchill Brothers were the home side.
How did Punjab FC's goals come against Churchill Brothers?
Messi Bouli opened the scoring with a penalty in the 13th minute, Alfred Planas added a second in the 40th minute, and Konsam Sanathoi Singh sealed the win with a 95th-minute strike. Both Planas and Sanathoi Singh were set up by teammates in the build-up to their goals.
