Bengaluru, February 27 – Effiong Nsungusi scored a brace to help Punjab FC shock former champions Bengaluru FC 2-0 in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday.
Renedy Singh fielded an unchanged starting XI from the previous match, but the game did not go Bengaluru FC's way as Punjab FC secured their first win of the season and opened their account on the points table.
After a cautious opening 20 minutes, Punjab FC broke the deadlock as a well-placed cross from Kipgen saw Effiong Nsungusi rise above everyone to head the ball into the near post. Gurpreet got a hand to it, but it wasn't enough to prevent the goal.
Punjab FC extended their lead 10 minutes later as Effiong scored his second with a low shot from the edge of the box, beating a diving Gurpreet. The rest of the first half saw a fierce battle, with Punjab FC taking a 2-0 lead into halftime.
In the second half, Renedy made three changes to his lineup, with Meetei, Kuziev, and Sunil Chhetri replacing Sana, Suresh, and Sivasakhti.
Bengaluru FC came close to scoring, as a good pass from midfield saw Ryan Williams break into space on the right flank, and put in a good cross for Sunil Chhetri, but the veteran Indian shot it over the goal.
Around the 69th minute, Punjab FC faced an injury concern as Kipgen walked off the field with a limp.
The remainder of the match saw both teams playing back and forth, but neither team could change the scoreline. Punjab FC emerged victorious 2-0, their first win of the season.
A tough loss for Bengaluru FC in their third consecutive home game, they remain on 4 points after 3 matches, with their next game away against Mohammedan SC on March 7.
