New Delhi, March 16: In a thrilling encounter in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26, Punjab FC managed to secure a 1-1 draw against FC Goa despite playing with only ten players. The match, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, allowed FC Goa to maintain their unbeaten streak, placing them fourth in the points table with nine points, while Punjab FC sits in eighth with five points. FC Goa’s Dejan Dragić was named ‘Player of the Match.’
Punjab started strong, maintaining possession early on and applying pressure from both flanks. Left-back Muhammad Uwais delivered several dangerous crosses, and in the 15th minute, the home team took their first shot on goal. Uwais headed a corner kick from Dani Ramírez, which was safely caught by FC Goa’s goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari.
Punjab FC continued to control the pace of the match, and their efforts paid off in the 27th minute. A move initiated from midfield saw the ball reach Manglethang Kipgen, who made an accurate through-ball pass to Nsungusi Junior Efioung. The striker displayed remarkable composure, curling the ball into the top corner with his left foot, giving Punjab the lead.
As the first half progressed, Punjab maintained their pressure. In the 37th minute, Ramírez tested Tiwari with a long-range shot, and shortly after, Nsungusi Junior’s attempt was easily caught by the goalkeeper. Kipgen also tried his luck from a distance, but his shot missed the target. FC Goa struggled to clear their defensive line for most of the half, but in stoppage time, they came close to equalizing. Sandesh Jhingan headed Dragić’s cross just wide, and moments later, Pol Moreno also missed a scoring opportunity.
The second half took a dramatic turn just three minutes after the restart when Punjab was reduced to ten players. Goalscorer Nsungusi Junior received a red card. FC Goa quickly capitalized on this advantage. In the 53rd minute, Brison Fernandes turned in midfield and passed the ball to Dragić, who unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box that found the bottom corner, leveling the score at 1-1. Goa continued to press for more, with Udanta Singh’s header going just over the bar in the 60th minute, and Dragić missing an easy header from a superb cross shortly after.
In the 71st minute, Punjab’s substitute striker Bede Osuji created a chance for Kipgen inside the box, but the midfielder’s shot lacked power and was easily caught by Tiwari. In the dying moments of the match, Goa searched for a winning goal. In the 79th minute, Arshdeep Singh saved a header from Mohammad Yasir, while both Renier Fernandes and Dragić missed scoring chances towards the end. Punjab held firm in stoppage time, with Arshdeep safely catching Brison Fernandes’s final shot.