Debutant Serto Worneilen Scores Late Winner as Bengaluru FC Beat Chennaiyin FC 2-1

Bengaluru FC ended their Indian Super League 2025-26 campaign on a high after debutant Serto Worneilen scored a dramatic late winner in a thrilling 2-1 victory over Chennaiyin FC at the Marina Arena on Saturday.

The result ensured that the Blues completed the entire season unbeaten away from home, finishing with five wins and two draws from seven away matches — comfortably one of the strongest away records in the league this season. The evening also delivered several memorable moments for Bengaluru FC, including milestone appearances, academy debuts, and a match-winning contribution from a teenager making his ISL debut.

Head coach Pep Muñoz opted for multiple changes to the side that defeated Jamshedpur FC in the previous round. Youngster Soham Varshneya received his first-ever start for the Blues, while Shivaldo was handed his first start of the season. There was additional positive news for Bengaluru as Nikhil Poojary returned to the matchday squad after recovering from a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Australian forward Ryan Williams marked his 50th ISL appearance for Bengaluru FC.

The visitors dominated possession from the opening whistle and immediately looked the more threatening side. Soham, eager to impress on his first start, became one of Bengaluru’s brightest performers early in the contest. The youngster repeatedly attacked spaces on the left flank and nearly opened the scoring with a powerful strike that narrowly cleared the crossbar.

The 19-year-old also produced one of the best passes of the first half in the 29th minute, delivering a stunning trivela ball into the penalty area for Williams, only for Chennaiyin defenders to recover and block the resulting effort.

Despite Bengaluru’s control, it was Chennaiyin FC who found the breakthrough. A quick counterattack in the 34th minute exposed Bengaluru’s defensive transition, allowing Chukwu to finish clinically and hand the hosts a somewhat unexpected lead  For a brief period, the goal shifted momentum towards Chennaiyin, who began defending deeper and looking increasingly comfortable absorbing pressure.

However, Bengaluru responded strongly before halftime.

Just when Chennaiyin looked set to take their lead into the break, Ryan Williams stepped up. In the 43rd minute, Fanai threaded a clever through-ball into the path of the Australian winger, who produced an emphatic finish to level the contest at 1-1. It was a fitting contribution from one of Bengaluru’s most influential attacking players over recent seasons, particularly on a night marking his 50th ISL appearance for the club.

The equaliser also ensured Bengaluru entered halftime with renewed momentum.

Pep Munoz signalled attacking intent immediately after the interval by introducing Sivasakthi Narayanan in place of Kuziev. As the second half progressed, the Bengaluru coach continued to place trust in youth. Soham’s encouraging debut ended in the 58th minute as the youngster made way for club legend Sunil Chhetri, receiving warm applause after an impressive performance. Then came another major moment.

In the 67th minute, academy talent Serto Worneilen entered the field for his ISL debut, replacing Shivaldo. The substitution would ultimately decide the match.

Before the winner arrived, Bengaluru missed an enormous opportunity to take the lead. Ryan Williams produced a brilliant individual run down the right flank in the 65th minute before cutting the ball back perfectly for Sanchez inside the penalty area. However, the Argentine midfielder failed to convert from close range, sending his effort straight at the goalkeeper before the rebound looped over the crossbar. As time ticked away, the match increasingly appeared destined for a draw.

https://www.indiasportshub.com/articles/chennaiyin-fc-vs-bengaluru-fc-blues-eye-strong-finish-as-marina-machans-look-to-end-season-positively

Then came the defining moment. In the 89th minute, Fanai unleashed a fierce shot from distance that caused chaos inside the Chennaiyin penalty area after taking a deflection. The loose ball fell perfectly for Serto Worneilen.

Showing composure well beyond his years, the debutant reacted quickest and calmly finished into the net to score his first-ever ISL goal and hand Bengaluru FC a dramatic late victory. The celebrations from players and coaching staff reflected the emotional significance of the moment. For academy graduates, scoring on debut in the Indian Super League remains one of the biggest possible statements.

While Bengaluru FC may ultimately feel they could have achieved even more this season, the campaign still concluded with several encouraging signs.

For Chennaiyin FC, the defeat summed up a frustrating season. Despite taking the lead, they once again struggled to maintain defensive concentration late in games — an issue that repeatedly affected them throughout the campaign. The Marina Machans finished the season with only one home win, a statistic that reflects their inconsistency and inability to convert performances into results.

Ultimately, the evening belonged to Bengaluru FC’s young debutant. In a season finale featuring milestone appearances, returning players and tactical adjustments, it was Serto Worneilen who produced the decisive moment. For Bengaluru FC, ending the campaign unbeaten away from home was already impressive. Doing it through a last-minute goal from an academy debutant made the occasion even more special.