ISL 2026-27: Bengaluru FC Stun SC Delhi With Dramatic 3-2 Victory
Menno Koch scores a dramatic 89th-minute winner to secure a 3-2 comeback victory for Bengaluru FC against SC Delhi in their ISL 2026-27 opener.
Bengaluru FC kicked off their 2026-27 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign in spectacular fashion, pulling off a breathtaking 3-2 comeback win against Sporting Club Delhi. In a match filled with shifts in momentum and emotional highs and lows, it was Menno Koch who emerged as the hero, netting an 89th-minute winner at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday.
Early Fireworks and a Quick Response
The hosts began the match with high intensity, utilizing the blistering speed of Ryan Williams and Ashique Kuruniyan to unsettle the SC Delhi backline. This aggressive approach yielded results early in the 22nd minute when debutant Borja Martínez silenced the visitors. After being set up by Williams, Martínez unleashed a precise left-footed strike from outside the penalty area that tucked neatly into the bottom-left corner.
However, SC Delhi refused to crumble. Just four minutes later, the visitors found their footing. Midfielder Hnamte orchestrated a brilliant move that allowed Rodriguinho to find space in the box, where he clinicaly finished with a right-footed shot to level the score at 1-1.
The Turnaround Before the Break
The momentum shifted once again before the halftime whistle. In the 32nd minute, SC Delhi's Juan Pena exploited gaps in the defense with his pace. Pena delivered a piercing cross into the area, which unfortunately resulted in a moment of misfortune for the hosts; Bengaluru defender Menno Koch inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net, handing SC Delhi a 2-1 lead going into the interval.
Martínez Doubles Up as Bengaluru Fight Back
Bengaluru FC entered the second half determined to reclaim control. The persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Borja Martínez proved he was the man of the hour. Following an assist from Mihailo Perovic, the Spaniard showed immense composure to slot a second left-footed goal from the left side of the box, leveling the match at 2-2.
As the game entered its final stages, the introduction of young midfielder Soham Varshneya breathed new life into the Bengaluru attack. Varshneya's energy on the pitch became the catalyst for the final, decisive surge.
Redemption for Koch in the Final Minutes
The climax of the match arrived in the 89th minute in a script that felt almost cinematic. Soham Varshneya delivered a searching cross into the heart of the penalty area, finding Menno Koch. The defender, who had faced heartbreak earlier in the game with his own goal, rose highest to power a header home.
The goal completed a stunning comeback for the home side, securing all three points in a season opener that will be remembered for its sheer drama. While SC Delhi showed immense grit and competitive spirit throughout the encounter, Bengaluru FC's relentless pursuit of victory ultimately proved to be the difference.