MG ISL 2026-27: Messi Bouli Strikes in 90+5th Minute as Punjab FC Snatch Dramatic Win Over Odisha FC

The Cameroonian forward scores twice, including a stoppage-time winner, as the Shers begin their campaign with a 2-1 victory in New Delhi.

Punjab FC began their MG Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 campaign in dramatic fashion, defeating Odisha FC 2-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday. Messi Bouli scored in the opening minute before delivering a decisive left-footed finish in the fifth minute of stoppage time to secure all three points for the Shers.

The Match 6 encounter appeared destined for a draw after Thoiba Moirangthem cancelled out Punjab's early advantage in the 15th minute. Both teams created opportunities throughout an evenly contested match, but Punjab's persistence in the closing stages eventually paid off when Bouli struck in the 90+5th minute.

The victory gives Punjab an encouraging start to the new season, while Odisha FC were left disappointed after conceding a late goal despite matching their opponents for much of the contest.

Punjab FC needed very little time to make their presence felt. The Shers took the lead inside the opening minute when Muhammed Uvais delivered a cross into the penalty area. Bouli met the delivery and finished with his right foot in the bottom-right corner, giving the hosts an immediate advantage.

The early goal provided Punjab with momentum, but Odisha responded with a set-piece opportunity that brought them back into the contest. In the 15th minute, Lalthathanga Khawlhring delivered a corner into the box, where Thoiba Moirangthem connected with a header and directed the ball into the bottom-right corner. The equaliser restored parity and ensured the match remained competitive.

Both sides continued to search for openings before the interval. Alfred Planas tested Odisha goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari, who made the save to keep the scores level. Odisha also threatened through Mahmoud Eid, who missed an opportunity from inside the box in the 18th minute.

Punjab's Ricky Shabong and Bijoy Varghese came close to restoring their team's lead, while Stephen Eze attempted a long-range effort for Odisha in first-half stoppage time. Neither side could find another goal before the break, leaving the contest level at 1-1.

Punjab Push for a Second Goal After the Break

The second half began with Odisha looking to take the initiative. Giorgi Aburjania came close almost immediately, sending an effort from inside the box just over the crossbar in the 46th minute. Bouli then missed the target in the 51st minute after receiving a cross from Planas, as Punjab continued to threaten in attack.

Planas himself sent an effort over the crossbar in the 56th minute before Tiwari produced another important save to deny Diego Raposo two minutes later. Punjab maintained their attacking pressure, with Varghese going close with a header from Khaiminthang Lhungdim's delivery following a corner in the 61st minute.

Odisha made a double substitution in the 64th minute, introducing Éverton Nascimento and Lalrinfela Khiangte in an attempt to influence the contest.

The visitors subsequently looked dangerous from set-pieces. Rahim Ali and Eze both attempted headers around the 80th minute, while Eid tested Punjab goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh from outside the penalty area. Arshdeep made the save to prevent Odisha from taking the lead.

As the match entered its closing stages, Punjab increased their efforts to find a winner. Vishal Yadav sent an attempt wide in the 82nd minute, while Tiwari denied substitute Gurkirat Singh in the 85th minute. Uvais then came close with a long-range attempt a minute later, but his effort narrowly missed the target.

Odisha continued to threaten at the other end. Suhair VP sent an effort wide during stoppage time, before Arshdeep made another important save to deny Nihal Sudheesh from outside the box in the 90+5th minute.

The sequence proved crucial. With Odisha unable to convert their late opportunity, Punjab immediately moved forward and found the breakthrough they had been seeking.

Bouli Delivers the Decisive Blow

Punjab's winning goal arrived in the 90+5th minute, completing a dramatic end to the contest. Vishal Yadav supplied the decisive pass into the penalty area, where Bouli finished with his left foot to beat Tiwari and restore Punjab's lead. The goal completed the forward's brace and transformed an otherwise evenly balanced match into a memorable opening-night victory for the Shers.

Bouli's contribution was decisive at both ends of the match's timeline: his right-footed finish inside the opening minute gave Punjab the perfect start, while his composed left-footed strike at the death secured the result.

For Punjab, the victory reflected their persistence in continuing to attack despite Odisha's resistance and Tiwari's saves. The late winner also rewarded a sustained second-half push in which the hosts created several promising opportunities.

Odisha, meanwhile, will reflect on their missed chances and the late sequence that denied them a point. After recovering from the early setback and remaining competitive throughout the second half, the Juggernauts were unable to withstand Punjab's final attack.

The 2-1 result gives Punjab FC a positive start to the 2026-27 ISL season. Bouli's double and Yadav's decisive assist provided the defining moments, while Arshdeep's late save helped preserve the opportunity for Punjab to secure victory.

For Odisha FC, the defeat was a difficult conclusion to a match in which they showed resilience and created chances of their own. The focus will now shift to converting those opportunities and avoiding late concessions in subsequent fixtures.

Punjab, however, will take confidence from a result secured through persistence and a dramatic stoppage-time finish. With Bouli already making an impact, the Shers have opened their campaign with a victory that could provide an early boost as the season progresses.