Messi Bouli’s opening-minute and 90+5th strikes give Punjab FC a 2-1 win over Odisha

Punjab FC defeated Odisha FC 2-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday in their Indian Super League 2026-27 opener, with Messi Bouli scoring inside the opening minute and again in the 90+5th minute to secure the win.

Punjab took a dream start when Muhammed Uvais’ cross into the box allowed Bouli to slot home with his right foot into the bottom-right corner; Odisha levelled in the 15th minute from a set-piece when Lalthathanga Khawlhring’s corner met Thoiba Moirangthem, who headed into the bottom-right corner. Both sides created chances before half-time and the teams went into the interval tied at 1-1.

Alfred Planas tested Odisha goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari prior to the break, while Mahmoud Eid squandered an opportunity from inside the box. Ricky Shabong and Bijoy Varghese also posed threats for Punjab, and Stephen Eze launched a long-range attempt in first-half stoppage time that failed to break the deadlock.

The second half began with Giorgi Aburjania sending an effort narrowly over the crossbar in the 46th minute, and Bouli missed a chance after a Planas cross shortly thereafter. Punjab kept up the pressure with Planas shooting over and Tiwari producing a save to deny Diego Raposo in quick succession.

Varghese came close with a header from Khaiminthang Lhungdim's cross in the 61st minute but his effort went wide. Odisha introduced verton Nascimento and Lalrinfela Khiangte in the 64th minute and later threatened from set-pieces, with Rahim Ali and Stephen Eze attempting headers around the 80th minute; Arshdeep Singh also saved an effort from Mahmoud Eid.

In the closing stages Punjab pushed for a winner: Tiwari denied substitute Gurkirat Singh in the 85th minute and Uvais sent a long-range attempt narrowly wide a minute later. Odisha posed late danger in added time through Suhair VP and Nihal Sudheesh, but Arshdeep remained resolute.

With a draw seeming likely, Vishal Yadav picked out Bouli inside the box and the forward finished with his left foot in the 90+5th minute to complete a first-minute-to-last-gasp double, handing Punjab FC — the Shers — a winning start to their campaign.