Punjab FC – 1 (Nsungusi Jr. Effiong 63’)
NorthEast United FC – 1 (Parthib Gogoi 60’)

New Delhi, Monday, March 09, 2026: Two second half goals saw Punjab FC hold NorthEast United FC to a 1-1 draw in their Indian Super League 2025-26 match, here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, on Monday, March 09, 2026.

Parthib Gogoi gave NorthEast United FC the lead at the hour mark, only to see home-side Punjab C’s Nigerian striker Nsungusi Jr. Effiong equalise three minutes later.

The 1-1 result meant Punjab improved one spot to move up to eighth on the table with four points with a game in hand, while the Highlanders remained on 10th with three points after four games.

Going into the final match of gameweek four, NorthEast gaffer Juan Pedro Benali opted for one change from their previous 1-1 draw against Mumbai City FC, bringing in Macarton Nickson in midfield. His Punjab counterpart Panagiotis Dilmperis, on the other hand, chose to put faith in the same XI that got them the season’s first win against Bengaluru FC in the previous encounter.

The visitors had the better of exchanges in the first quarter of an hour, a couple of early corners leading to Spanish centre-back Míchel Zabaco missing a golden opportunity, after Lalrinzuala had found him free with a measured cross from the left flank.

A minute later, NorthEast United winger Jithin MS also found some space to dink one across and above the keeper, but he too missed the target.

Punjab then had a good spell and Spanish midfielder Daniel Ramírez missed a free header, followed by Effiong having his first shot on target.

Dilmperis was forced onto a double substitution at the half-hour mark as Nikhil Prabhu got injured and Suhail created two chances near the close of the half. Gogoi, though, had the last great chance of the half, but the dreadlock could not be broken.

The second half initially saw some scrappy play with three bookings in the first few minutes, but soon the goal came when Parthib latched on to a loose ball after Rinzuala was boxed in by three defenders. He controlled wonderfully to drive forward and slot it with composure past Arshdeep Singh’s right to give the Highlanders the lead.

The equaliser came instantly after Suhail, who had been a livewire down the left since coming on, won yet another of his battles with Redeem Talang, to burst into the box and cut back in for Effiong to tap in on the turn. It was the Nigerian’s third goal of the ISL season, and third in two games.

The Shers looked more eager for the win as the game drew to a close, but substitute Samir Zeljković was denied by the flag after slotting one in and the game ended in a draw.