Raphael Messi Bouli scored in the first and last minute of the game to give Punjab FC a thrilling 2-1 victory over Odisha FC in their first Indian Super League 2026-27 fixture, which was played here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
His opening strike, coming just 39 seconds into the contest, stands as the sixth-fastest overall in the history of the Indian Super League. Thoiba Singh equalised for the Juggernauts in the 15th minute. Messi Bouli was adjudged as the Player of the Match.
The match began with an explosive start for the hosts. Capitalizing on a fluid build-up down the right flank, defender Muhammed Uvais delivered a pinpoint cross straight into the danger zone. Messi Bouli timed his run perfectly, reacting quickest to sweep a clinical right-footed shot from inside the six-yard box into the bottom right corner to give Punjab FC the lead at the 39-second mark.
Odisha FC regrouped quickly despite the nightmare start, searching for a response while trying to contain the tempo. In the 15th minute, the Kalinga Warriors found their equalizer. Following a well-won corner kick, captain Lalthathanga Khawlhring curled a precise delivery into the center of the box. Midfielder Thoiba Singh rose highest above the defensive line to direct a firm header past the diving Arshdeep Singh, bringing the score to 1-1.
Punjab FC immediately went in search of the lead again. Winger Muhammad Suhail proved highly instrumental, launching a barrage of attacks from the left flank. The combination of Bijoy Varghese, Uvais, and Suhail continuously broke into Odisha’s defense. On the half-hour mark, Punjab came inches away from reclaiming the lead when Varghese rose high to meet a cross from Khaiminthang Lhungdim, but his header drifted agonizingly wide of the left post.
Ten minutes later, midfielder Ricky Shabong connected with a neat pass from Suhail just outside the penalty area, unleashing a powerful strike that whistled narrowly past the right post. As halftime approached, Odisha’s Stephen Eze attempted an ambitious strike from distance that sailed high and wide, ensuring the teams headed into the break deadlocked at 1-1.
The Shers commenced the second half with renewed attacking intent. In the 51st minute, Messi Bouli missed a chance from the center of the box, and moments later, he cushioned a header down for Alfred Planas, whose powerful shot was blocked by a resilient Odisha defence.
Approaching the hour mark, Punjab FC continued to apply intense pressure. Diego Raposo forced a sharp, diving save from Odisha goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari to keep the scoreline level. Looking to freshen up the midfield and maintain the pressure, Punjab FC introduced Academy graduate Bishu Sharma for Diego Raposo in the 68th minute.
The Shers produced a barrage of attacks, but Hrithik Tiwari produced a couple of breathtaking saves to keep Odisha in the contest, including denying another powerful effort from Messi Bouli in the 74th minute.
As the match entered the final ten minutes, Odisha FC began to threaten on the counter. In the 80th minute, Mahmoud Eid unleashed a driven strike aimed at the bottom left corner, but Punjab goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh dove smartly to produce a brilliant save.
At the other end, Tiwari was called into action again in the 86th minute, denying substitute Gurkirat Singh from the right side of the box. Uvais then fired a left-footed effort just wide in the dying minutes of regulation time as the hosts desperately searched for a winner.
The match witnessed intense action deep into stoppage time. Arshdeep made a comfortable save against Nihal Sudheesh in the 95th minute, moments before Odisha’s Suhair VP dragged a right-footed shot wide of the left post from a promising position.
Odisha FC were immediately made to pay for the missed opportunity. In the 96th minute (90+6′), Punjab FC launched one final attack. Substitute Bishu Sharma orchestrated the move, sliding a clever pass into the heart of the box.
Finding a pocket of space, Messi Bouli showed brilliant composure to tap the ball in, unleashing a crisp left-footed shot that nestled precisely into the bottom left corner. The 95th-minute winner left Tiwari with no chance, sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory for the Shers on opening night.
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