Punjab FC edged out Bengaluru FC 5-4 on penalties after a tense goalless draw over 90 minutes.

Bengaluru FC’s Ryan Williams was the only player to have his spot-kick saved, knocking them out of the competition. Suresh Singh, Rahul Bheke, Sunil Chhetri, and Braian Sánchez scored for the Blues, while Punjab FC scored all five of their penalties – Effiong, Princeton Rebello, Samir Zeljković, Leon Augustine, and Vinit Rai finding the net.

Both sides came into the game with intent, but lacked the final penetration, at least in the opening exchanges. Punjab FC had a couple of early attempts to break the deadlock, Effiong lacking the desired control in the area after being played through behind the Bengaluru FC defence.

Then the Shers began to dictate terms, enjoying possession in the Blues half after the quarter-hour mark. For Punjab FC, Ninthoi looked especially lively down the left flank. His 28th-minute run created the first shot on goal for Punjab FC, as the winger cut in from the left, passed it to Daniel Ramírez, whose shot from just outside the box lacked power and was easily cleared by Bengaluru FC goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Bengaluru FC began to create chances of their own and came close in the 35th minute, when Sánchez’s cross from the right dipped goalwards, forcing Punjab goalkeeper Muheet Shabir into a smart save as he tipped it over the bar. Blues defender Chinglensana Singh Konsham, from the ensuing corner, managed to break free of his marker, but could only blaze his header over the cross-bar.

Punjab came out with the same intensity after the change of ends as well and Ramírez’s 58th-minute corner found an unmarked Effiong at the far post, but the Nigerian striker’s header glanced agonisingly.

Bengaluru FC’s best chance came through substitute Ashique Kuruniyan in the 68th minute, when his inch-perfect cross found Chhetri lurking unmarked in the Punjab FC penalty area. With both space and time at hand, and just the goalkeeper to beat, the striker volleyed it wide.

As the match wore on, both teams tightened up defensively, determined not to concede. With neither side able to find the breakthrough, the tie headed to penalties, where Punjab FC Goalkeeper Muheet shabir emerged as the hero for the shers, as he held his nerve to save Ryan Williams’ spot kick.

Mohammedan SC exits AIFF Super Cup with a third defeat

Mohammedan SC wrapped up their AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 campaign with a 0-3 defeat to Gokulam Kerala FC in the other fixture in Group C on Wednesday.

Both teams initiated the match with aggression before Gokulam Kerala FC took the lead. Albert Torras opened the scoring in the 28th minute, which had set the tone for the Malabarians, followed by Samuel Lyngdoh doubling the lead early in the second half. With just a few minutes left, substitute Juan Carlos Rico added a third to seal his side's victory and lift them to third place in the group table, as both teams’ campaigns came to an end.

Earlier in the fourth minute, Gokulam's Spanish midfielder Alfred Planas tested Mohammedan keeper Subhajit Bhattacharjee with a curling free-kick from distance, but the latter tipped it away and Mohammedan SC responded with quick counter-attacks. In the eighth minute, midfielder Maharabam Maxion launched a shot from the edge of the box that missed the target. A minute later, Ashley Koli struck a thunderous free-kick that hit the frame.

The breakthrough arrived in the 28th minute when Shighil's shot deflected off Yash Chickro and fell perfectly for Spanish midfielder Torras, who scored a fine volley to give his side the lead. Mohammedan SC tried hard to restore the parity before the break but GKFC defense stood tall.

For Gokulam Kerala FC, Akshunna Tyagi delivered a low cross across goal for Samuel Lyngdoh in the 56th minute to convert a tap-in and double the lead.

And again, In the 86th minute, Gokulam Kerala struck their third when Planas’ effort was initially saved by Bhattacharjee, but it allowed Spanish forward Juan Carlos Rico to pounce on the rebound and tap it in from close range. The goal sealed a 3-0 win for Gokulam Kerala FC, who ended their campaign with their first victory in the AIFF Super Cup 2025-26.

Related tags:

Bengaluru FCMohammedan SC2025-26Punjab FC AIFF Super Cup