Sanathoi Singh Seals Punjab FC's 3-2 Win Over Churchill Brothers
Goa: A late goal from Konsam Sanathoi Singh in stoppage time helped Punjab FC defeat Churchill Brothers 3-2 in an exciting Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 match.
Punjab FC took the lead early when Messi Bouli converted a penalty in the 13th minute. The advantage did not last long, as Sebastian Gutierrez equalised in the 37th minute. Alfred Planas, the Spanish player, then gave the Shers the lead again in the 40th minute. Gutierrez, however, scored once more in added time of the first half, sending the teams in level at 2-2.
The visitors started positively. Bishu Sharma tested the goalkeeper with a shot from outside the box early in the match, but the ball flew just above the bar. Punjab FC won a penalty after Gaurav Bora brought down Bouli in the area. Bouli calmly struck the ball with his left foot into the top-right corner.
Churchill Brothers responded with greater intent. Gutierrez delivered a cross during a set piece that Tridjoy Dias attempted to head home, but it went out of play. Punjab FC continued to threaten at the other end, though Syed Kadir produced fine saves to thwart efforts from Mangalenthang Kipgen and Planas.
The hosts restored parity after Vincy Barretto sent a cross into the penalty area. Gutierrez was alert enough to finish from close range into the bottom-right corner. Punjab FC reacted immediately and retook the lead within three minutes. Planas, unmarked inside the box, fired a right-footed shot into the bottom-left corner to make it 2-1.
Churchill Brothers struck back before the break. Gutierrez scored his second of the match with a close-range right-footed effort into the bottom-left corner, and the teams went into half-time locked at 2-2.
The second half remained evenly poised. Bouli came agonisingly close in the 55th minute with a header from a Planas cross, but Kadir made a save. Leke tested Arshdeep Singh in the 75th minute, but his shot from the right side of the box was held by the Punjab FC goalkeeper.
As the clock ticked down, Punjab FC kept searching for the winner. In the 82nd minute, Bouli provided Konsam Sanathoi Singh with a chance from the middle of the box, but Kadir denied him. The decisive moment came in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Bouli played a key role again, passing to Sanathoi Singh inside the penalty area. The forward drove a right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner, putting Punjab FC 3-2 ahead.
Churchill Brothers pushed for an equaliser in the final stages, and Leke's long-range attempt flew just over the crossbar. Punjab FC held on to claim a hard-fought win in a tense and entertaining encounter. Sanathoi Singh's stoppage-time goal proved to be the difference.