Bouli brace on debut gives Punjab FC 2-1 ISL win over Odisha at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

Raphael Messi Bouli scored twice on his debut to hand Punjab FC a 2-1 victory over Odisha FC in an Indian Super League match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday.

Bouli, 34, had been a free agent after playing for Jamshedpur last season and marked his first appearance for his new club by scoring in the opening moments and again in stoppage time. He struck at 39 seconds and then at 90+5 to complete the brace.

The opener came from a left-sided delivery by Muhammad Uvais; his low cross was played along the turf and Bouli converted with a simple tap to put the hosts ahead. Punjab created a few other half-chances in the opening exchanges before Odisha settled into the game.

Odisha levelled in the 15th minute from a corner when Lalthathanga Khawlhring found an unmarked Thoiba Singh Moirangthem, who headed powerfully past Punjab goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh. Thoiba is described in the report as a 23-year-old from Manipur.

Punjab asserted more control after the interval and had a notable opening in the 56th minute when Muhammad Suhail ran into space on the left and supplied an outside-of-the-boot cross to Alfred Moya. The Spaniard connected with a first-time effort that sailed over the crossbar.

As the match looked headed for a draw, substitute Bishu Sharma delivered a cross from the right wing in stoppage time and Bouli reacted to score the winner. The late goal secured a 2-1 victory for the hosts.

The result: Punjab FC 2 (Raphael Messi Bouli 1, 90+5) bt Odisha FC 1 (Thoiba Singh Moirangthem 15). Published - October 14, 2026 09:50 pm IST