First-minute punch, last-gasp winner: Messi Bouli seals Punjab FC's 2-1 win vs Odisha

Messi Bouli scored in the opening minute and struck again in the 90+5th minute as Punjab FC edged Odisha FC 2-1 in their Indian Super League 2026-27 opener at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday.

In Short

• Messi Bouli scored in the opening minute to give Punjab FC an early lead
• Thoiba Moirangthem equalised for Odisha FC with a 15th-minute header
• Bouli struck again in the 90+5th minute to seal Punjab FC's 2-1 win

Punjab FC began their Indian Super League 2026-27 campaign in dramatic fashion, defeating Odisha FC 2-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday. Messi Bouli struck inside the opening minute before returning with a stoppage-time winner in the 90+5th minute to seal all three points for the Shers.

Punjab FC got off to a dream start when Muhammed Uvais delivered a cross into the box, allowing Bouli to slot home with his right foot into the bottom-right corner. However, Odisha FC responded in the 15th minute through a set-piece routine. Lalthathanga Khawlhring's corner found Thoiba Moirangthem, who headed the ball into the bottom-right corner to restore parity.

Both teams looked for a second goal before the break. Alfred Planas tested Odisha goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari, while Mahmoud Eid missed an opportunity from inside the box. Ricky Shabong and Bijoy Varghese also threatened for Punjab, while Stephen Eze attempted a long-range effort in first-half stoppage time. Neither side could find a breakthrough, and the teams went into the interval level at 1-1.

The contest remained closely fought after the restart. Odisha's Giorgi Aburjania sent an effort narrowly over the crossbar in the 46th minute, before Bouli missed the target at the other end following a cross from Planas. Punjab continued to press, with Planas shooting over and Tiwari producing a save to deny Diego Raposo in quick succession.

Varghese then came close with a header from Khaiminthang Lhungdim's cross in the 61st minute, but his effort went wide. Odisha introduced verton Nascimento and Lalrinfela Khiangte in the 64th minute and threatened through late set-pieces, with Rahim Ali and Eze attempting headers around the 80th minute. Arshdeep Singh also kept out an effort from Eid.

Punjab pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages. Tiwari denied substitute Gurkirat Singh in the 85th minute, while Uvais sent a long-range attempt narrowly wide a minute later. Odisha threatened in added time through Suhair VP and Nihal Sudheesh, but Arshdeep stood firm.

Just when a draw appeared likely, Punjab struck decisively. Vishal Yadav picked out Bouli inside the box, and the forward finished with his left foot in the 90+5th minute to complete a remarkable first-minute-to-last-gasp double and hand Punjab FC a winning start to their campaign.

- Ends