Punjab FC booked their place in the semi-finals of the AIFF Super Cup 2025 after edging past Bengaluru FC 5–4 in a dramatic penalty shootout at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Wednesday night.
After 90 minutes of intense, goalless football, it all came down to composure from the spot and it was Punjab who showed greater calm, precision, and belief to seal a memorable victory and top Group C.
Coming into the match, both sides were tied on six points each, having won their first two group fixtures by identical scorelines. With goal difference also level, the final match effectively became a straight knockout: win and progress, draw and take it to penalties. The stakes were clear and both teams played with that urgency from the opening whistle.
Punjab FC began the match strongly, showing a well-structured shape and confidence in possession. Midfielder Daniel Ramírez dictated the early tempo, repeatedly finding pockets of space to release the wide forwards. Bengaluru, meanwhile, struggled to settle into a rhythm. Their defensive line was forced deeper than usual, pressed back by Punjab’s quick forward transitions. The match saw its first real opening in the 16th minute when Ramírez whipped in a dangerous low cross from the left but Naorem Roshan Singh’s intervention was just enough to deny Nsungusi Effiong a tap-in. It was a sign of Punjab’s early promise.
Bengaluru’s best opportunity in the first half came through a set-piece route. In the 38th minute, they earned a corner and Hyderabad FC loanee Sana Singh rose highest, but his header sailed over the crossbar. At the other end, Punjab continued to test Gurpreet Singh Sandhu with drives from distance and combinations in tight spaces. Leon Augustine nearly broke the deadlock in the 44th minute when Effiong flicked a clever ball into his path, but Gurpreet’s fingertips diverted it just wide.
By halftime, the match remained 0–0, but Punjab looked the more composed and threatening outfit. Bengaluru, meanwhile, appeared to be saving their most experienced weapon for the final stretch.
Second Half: Chhetri’s Arrival Changes the Momentum
As expected, Sunil Chhetri entered the field early in the second half, replacing Kelvin Singh. His arrival instantly lifted Bengaluru’s urgency. The Blue Colts pushed higher, moved the ball quicker and finally began to stretch the Punjab defense. In the 68th minute came the moment that could have rewritten the match. Aashique Kuruniyan delivered a perfect ball across the six-yard box and Chhetri, positioned with time and space, looked favourite to bury the chance but he dragged his finish just wide. It was a rare sight: Chhetri missing a tap-in on a big stage.
Punjab responded with chances of their own. Effiong rose highest during a corner in the 57th minute, but his header flew past the post. Later, substitute Bamiya Samad tried injecting pace into the right flank, but Bengaluru defended well in the box.
Super Cup 2025: Winner Takes All as Punjab FC and Bengaluru FC Battle for Semifinal Spot
As the clock moved past the 80-minute mark, the match grew increasingly physical. Tackles came harder, fouls increased, and both midfields squeezed the spaces further. Bengaluru pushed for a late winner and nearly found it deep into stoppage time when Rahul Bheke rose for a looping header from a free-kick, but the attempt drifted narrowly wide.
With no breakthrough in regulation time, the match headed to where both coaches hoped it would not the penalty shootout.
The shootout began with both sides converting their opening kicks. Rahul Bheke and Princeton Rebello kept things level at 2–2. The turning point came when Bengaluru’s Ryan Williams hesitated during his run-up and Punjab goalkeeper Mahesh Basumatary read the moment perfectly, diving correctly to push away the shot. Samir Zeljkovic put Punjab ahead 3–2, before Sunil Chhetri restored parity with characteristic poise. But Punjab’s confidence never wavered. Brian Sanchez scored. Then former Bengaluru winger Leon Augustine, now in Punjab colours, scored Punjab’s fourth against his former club, under lights, in knockout pressure.
Punjab needed one final conversion to seal the tie. The responsibility fell to Effiong, who stepped up with calm assurance and slotted the winner past Gurpreet.
Punjab FC celebrated wildly. Bengaluru could only watch on, knowing they had their moments, but lacked finishing touches when they mattered most.
For Punjab FC, this victory carries meaning beyond the semifinal qualification. A young Indian core Ninthoinganba Meetei, Suhail, Kipgen, and Augustine has stepped up throughout the tournament. The club’s trust in development pathways is bearing visible fruit.
For Bengaluru FC, the defeat is a painful reminder that dominance in patches and big-name substitutions are not enough without execution in key moments.
Punjab FC will now join East Bengal and FC Goa in the semifinal draw entering the final four not as underdogs, but as a team that has earned respect.
Final Score: Bengaluru FC 0–0 Punjab FC (Punjab win 5–4 on penalties)
