A 10-man Punjab FC produced a resilient performance to hold FC Goa to a 1-1 draw in Indian Super League 2025-26 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Monday, March 16, 2026.
The result saw FC Goa extend their unbeaten run and move to fourth in the standings with nine points, while Punjab FC sit eighth with five points. FC Goa’s Dejan Dražić was adjudged Player of the Match.
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Team Changes
| Match Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Result | Punjab FC 1-1 FC Goa |
| Scorers | Nsungusi 27′; Dražić 53′ |
| Red card | Nsungusi (48′) |
| FC Goa | 4th, 9 points |
| Punjab FC | 8th, 5 points |
Punjab’s Panagiotis Dilmperis made two midfield changes: Leon Augustine for injured Nikhil Prabhu and Samir Zeljković for Bede Osuji. FC Goa’s Manolo Márquez named an unchanged XI.
Punjab’s Strong Start
Punjab started strongly, controlling possession and creating early pressure. Left-back Muhammed Uvais delivered dangerous crosses, and in the 15th minute Dani Ramírez’s corner found Uvais, whose header was safely collected by Hrithik Tiwari.
The Shers were rewarded in the 27th minute. Manglenthang Kipgen threaded a through ball to Nsungusi Jr Effiong, who curled a left-footed effort into the top corner.
Punjab kept up pressure. Ramírez tested Tiwari with a long-range effort in the 37th minute. FC Goa struggled to clear their lines but came close to equalising in stoppage time. Sandesh Jhingan headed narrowly wide from a Dražić cross, while Punjab nearly conceded an own goal when Uvais’ header struck the woodwork.
Dramatic Second Half
The match took a dramatic turn early in the second half. Just three minutes after the restart, Punjab were reduced to ten men when goalscorer Nsungusi Jr was shown a straight red card.
FC Goa capitalised soon after. In the 53rd minute, Brison Fernandes turned in midfield before laying the ball off to Dražić, who struck a right-footer from outside the box into the bottom corner to level at 1-1.
Goa continued to push forward. Udanta Singh headed narrowly over from a corner in the 60th minute and Dražić missed a free header moments later. In the 71st minute, Punjab substitute Bede Osuji set up Kipgen inside the box, but his effort lacked power and was gathered by Tiwari.
Goa searched for a winner in the closing stages. Mohammad Yasir’s header was saved by Arshdeep Singh in the 79th minute, while Raynier Fernandes and Dražić both missed the target with late attempts. Punjab defended resolutely in stoppage time, with Arshdeep safely gathering a final effort from Brison Fernandes.
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FAQs
What was the final score of Punjab FC vs FC Goa?
Punjab FC and FC Goa drew 1-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Nsungusi Jr Effiong scored for Punjab in the 27th minute, and Dejan Dražić equalised for Goa in the 53rd minute.
Why was Punjab FC reduced to 10 men?
Nsungusi Jr Effiong, who scored Punjab’s goal in the 27th minute, was shown a straight red card just three minutes after the restart in the 48th minute.
Where do both teams stand in the ISL 2025-26 table?
FC Goa moved to fourth in the standings with nine points and extended their unbeaten run. Punjab FC sit eighth with five points.
What changes did the coaches make to their starting lineups?
Punjab’s Panagiotis Dilmperis made two midfield changes: Leon Augustine for injured Nikhil Prabhu and Samir Zeljković for Bede Osuji. FC Goa’s Manolo Márquez named an unchanged starting XI.
How did FC Goa equalise after Punjab went down to 10 men?
In the 53rd minute, Brison Fernandes turned in midfield before laying the ball off to Dražić, who struck a right-footer from outside the box into the bottom corner to level at 1-1. Dražić was named Player of the Match.
