Sanathoi Singh’s Stoppage-Time Winner Seals Dramatic Punjab FC Victory

by Chandler D'silva October 26, 2026

Punjab FC snatched a thrilling 3-2 victory over Churchill Brothers in the MG Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, with Konsam Sanathoi Singh scoring a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time. Raphael Messi Bouli opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 13th minute, while Alfred Planas struck in the 40th minute. Churchill Brothers fought back twice through Sebastián Gutiérrez, who scored in the 37th and 45+2nd minutes, but Sanathoi Singh’s late strike ensured Punjab took all three points.

Punjab FC started aggressively, with Bishu Sharma firing narrowly over the crossbar from outside the box in the second minute. Their early pressure paid off when Messi Bouli was brought down inside the penalty area by Gaurav Bora. The striker stepped up and confidently converted the resulting penalty, sending his left-footed effort into the top-right corner to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Churchill Brothers gradually grew into the contest and looked to respond through their attacking players. Trijoy Dias headed wide from a Gutiérrez cross following a set-piece situation, while goalkeeper Sayad Kadir made important saves to deny Manglenthang Kipgen and Planas as Punjab searched for a second goal.

The hosts eventually found their equaliser in the 37th minute. Vincy Barretto delivered a cross into the penalty area, and Gutiérrez finished from close range, slotting the ball into the bottom-right corner to make it 1-1. However, Punjab responded almost immediately. In the 40th minute, Planas found space inside the box and drilled a right-footed effort into the bottom-left corner to restore the Shers’ advantage.

Churchill refused to back down and struck again just before half-time. Gutiérrez completed his brace in the second minute of stoppage time, turning the ball into the bottom-left corner with a close-range finish to bring the score to 2-2 and set up an intriguing second half.

Both sides continued to search for a winner after the restart. Messi Bouli came close to scoring his second in the 55th minute, but his header from Planas’ cross was saved by Kadir. At the other end, Wayde Lekay tested Punjab goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh in the 75th minute, but the effort from the right side of the box was kept out.

Punjab maintained their attacking intent in the closing stages. Bouli created another opportunity in the 82nd minute, setting up Sanathoi Singh inside the box, but Kadir produced another save to keep Churchill level. The visitors, however, continued to press and found the breakthrough they had been chasing in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Messi Bouli once again turned provider, picking out Sanathoi Singh inside the penalty area. The forward made no mistake, firing a right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner to give Punjab FC a decisive 3-2 lead and spark celebrations among the visitors.

Churchill Brothers attempted one final response, with Lekay sending a long-range effort narrowly over the crossbar, but Punjab held firm to secure a dramatic victory. In a contest featuring two comebacks and five goals, Sanathoi Singh’s last-gasp strike proved decisive, handing the Shers a memorable three points in an entertaining ISL encounter.

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