Konsam Sanathoi Singh struck a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Punjab FC defeated Churchill Brothers 3-2 in a thrilling Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 encounter at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, on Sunday. The 19-year-old scored in the final moments to secure all three points for Punjab after Churchill Brothers had twice fought back to level the contest.
Raphaël Messi Bouli, Alfred Planas Moya and Sanathoi scored for Punjab FC, while Sebastián Gutiérrez struck twice for Churchill Brothers. The match witnessed an entertaining exchange of goals, with both teams producing attacking football before Punjab eventually prevailed through another late intervention.
𝗣𝘂𝗻𝗷𝗮𝗯 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱
Punjab FC made an aggressive start and were rewarded in the 13th minute when Messi Bouli converted a penalty to give the visitors the advantage. The spot kick was awarded after Churchill Brothers defender Gaurav Bora fouled the striker inside the penalty area.
Messi Bouli made no mistake from the spot, putting Punjab ahead and giving his side an early foothold in the contest.
Churchill Brothers gradually settled into the match and began creating opportunities through their attacking players. Their persistence paid off in the 37th minute when Gutiérrez finished a move initiated by Vincy Barretto, who delivered a low cross into the penalty area.
The equaliser briefly restored parity, but Punjab responded almost immediately. Two minutes later, Alfred Planas Moya capitalised on a deflected effort to put the visitors 2-1 ahead.
The quick exchange of goals ensured that the first half remained competitive, with both teams showing attacking intent.
𝗚𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘇 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸
Churchill Brothers refused to surrender their advantage at home and continued searching for an equaliser. Their efforts were rewarded in first-half stoppage time when Gutiérrez scored his second goal of the evening.
Wayde Lekay unleashed a shot that Punjab goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh could only parry into the path of Gutiérrez, who reacted quickly to turn the rebound into the net.
The goal arrived in the second minute of added time, ensuring that the teams entered the interval level at 2-2.
The first half had produced four goals, with Punjab twice taking the lead and Churchill Brothers responding on both occasions.
𝗕𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀
Punjab FC head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis made three changes to his starting lineup, bringing in Alfred Planas Moya, Manglenthang Kipgen and Bishu Sharma in place of Vishal Yadav, the injured Diego Raposo and Laishram Rishikanta Meitei.
Churchill Brothers coach Dimitris Dimitriou also made adjustments during the contest, introducing Melroy Assisi and John Okoli after the interval.
The second half was more tightly contested as both sides looked to avoid conceding another goal. Although opportunities emerged at either end, neither team managed to convert its chances during regulation time.
Punjab continued to press for a winner, while Churchill Brothers attempted to capitalise on their home advantage.
𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗶 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝘄
Just when the contest appeared destined to finish in a draw, Punjab FC produced the decisive moment in stoppage time.
The move began when Gurkirat Singh won a headed clearance, allowing Messi Bouli to collect possession and initiate an attacking move.
The striker found Sanathoi, who showed composure inside the penalty area before guiding his effort past a defender and the goalkeeper to restore Punjab's lead.
The goal, scored in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, left Churchill Brothers with virtually no opportunity to respond.
Sanathoi's finish completed a dramatic 3-2 victory and underlined Punjab's ability to produce decisive goals in the closing stages of matches.
𝗣𝘂𝗻𝗷𝗮𝗯 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺
The victory continued Punjab FC's impressive record of scoring crucial late goals in the opening weeks of the new ISL season.
The club had begun its campaign with a 2-1 victory over Odisha FC, with Messi Bouli scoring the winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
Punjab subsequently secured a 1-1 draw against Mumbai City FC when Gurkirat Singh headed home a 90th-minute equaliser.
Sunday's result marked another example of the team's ability to remain competitive until the final whistle, with Sanathoi emerging as the match-winner on this occasion.
For Churchill Brothers, the defeat was particularly disappointing after Gutiérrez's double had twice brought them back into the contest.
The Goan side had opened its campaign with a 2-1 victory over Mumbai City FC before suffering a 4-0 defeat against East Bengal FC.
Punjab FC, meanwhile, extended their unbeaten start to the season to three matches, recording two victories and a draw.
The result gives Dermitzakis' side further momentum in the early stages of the competition, while Churchill Brothers will look to recover after consecutive defeats.