Stoppage-Time Drama: Sanathoi Singh Snatches Victory for Punjab FC
Sanathoi Singh scores a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Punjab FC secure a 3-2 victory over Churchill Brothers in the ISL 2026-27 season.
Punjab FC continued their habit of late-game heroics, securing a thrilling 3-2 win over Churchill Brothers in Match 15 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 season. In a nail-biting encounter at the PJN Fatorda Stadium on Sunday, Konsam Sanathoi Singh emerged as the hero, netting the winning goal in the final minute of injury time to ensure the 'Shers' walked away with all three points.
Early Lead and the First Exchange
Punjab FC started the match with intent. The deadlock was broken in the 13th minute when Raphaël Messi Bouli was brought down inside the box by Gaurav Bora after a slick short pass from Muhammad Uvais. Stepping up to the penalty spot, the Cameroonian forward remained composed, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Sayad Bin Abdul Kadir to record his third goal of the campaign.
Churchill Brothers did not fade after conceding. They ramped up the pressure, nearly capitalizing on a couple of scuffed clearances by Nikhil Prabhu inside the box, though Wayde Lekay failed to convert the opportunities. On the other side, Punjab FC attempted to extend their lead with long-range efforts from Alfred Planas Moya and Manglenthang Kipgen, but both were comfortably handled by the goalkeeper.
The Mid-Half Seesaw
The hosts finally found their rhythm in the 37th minute through a well-coordinated team effort. A long ball from Sebastián Gutiérrez was chested down by Wayde Lekay, who then played it to Anil Gaonkar. Gaonkar quickly found Vincy Barretto, whose low cross found Gutiérrez again. The Colombian striker flicked the ball past Arshdeep Singh at the near post to equalize.
However, the joy for Churchill Brothers was short-lived. Just three minutes later, Punjab FC regained the lead. A shot from Messi Bouli deflected off Joseph Okoro, leaving the ball loose in a dangerous area. Alfred Planas Moya reacted the fastest, poking the ball home to make it 2-1.
Stoppage-Time Chaos
As the match entered its final stages, the tension peaked. In the second minute of stoppage time, Churchill Brothers looked to have secured a draw. Vincy Barretto played a precise ball to Wayde Lekay, whose shot was parried by Arshdeep Singh. Sebastián Gutiérrez was on hand to tap in the rebound, scoring his second of the match and leveling the score at 2-2.
Just as it seemed the points would be shared, Punjab FC struck one last time. Konsam Sanathoi Singh, who had been brought on at the start of the second half by head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis, found the back of the net in the final minute of injury time, sealing a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Tactical Shifts and Lineups
Head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis made three significant changes to the starting XI for this clash:
- Alfred Planas Moya returned to the starting lineup in place of Vishal Yadav.
- Manglenthang Kipgen made his first start of the season, filling in for the injured Diego Raposo.
- Bishu Sharma made his club debut in the midfield, replacing the injured Laishram Rishikanta Meitei.
Churchill Brothers coach Dimitris Dimitriou also looked for a spark in the second half, introducing former Punjab FC defender Melroy Assisi and Nigerian striker John Okoli. While the second half saw a dip in tempo after the hour mark with much of the play confined to the midfield, the game ultimately decided itself in the frantic closing moments.