Punjab FC preserved their unbeaten start to the Indian Super League 2026-27 season with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Mumbai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Monday. Substitute Gurkirat Singh struck in the 90th minute to earn the hosts a point after Leandro Otormin had put Mumbai ahead from the penalty spot.

The result took Punjab FC to third in the standings with four points from two matches, extending their positive start to the campaign. Mumbai City, meanwhile, were left to rue their inability to hold on to the lead in the closing stages.

MUMBAI STRIKE FROM THE SPOT

The two sides went into the break goalless after a closely contested first half, with neither able to find the breakthrough. Punjab had made a change to their starting line-up, with Vishal Yadav replacing the injured Alfred Planas Moya.

The start handed Yadav a notable milestone, as he became the third-youngest player to start an ISL match for Punjab FC.

The deadlock was eventually broken in the 65th minute when Mumbai City were awarded a penalty. Otormin stepped up and converted from the spot to give the visitors a 1-0 lead, putting Punjab under pressure to find a response.

With time running out, Punjab needed a decisive contribution from their substitutes to avoid suffering their first defeat of the season.

GURKIRAT DELIVERS LATE EQUALISER

Punjab's persistence paid off in the 90th minute. Substitute Sanathoi Meetei produced a precise cross into the box, and Gurkirat rose to meet it with a header that found the net and brought the home side level.

The late goal transformed the closing moments, rescuing a point for Punjab when Mumbai appeared close to taking all three. Gurkirat's intervention also ensured that Punjab's unbeaten run remained intact after two matches.

For the hosts, the equaliser was a reward for continuing to push despite falling behind in the second half. Meetei's delivery and Gurkirat's finish provided the decisive combination, with both substitutes making their mark at a crucial moment.

PUNJAB MAINTAIN UNBEATEN START

The draw leaves Punjab FC with four points from their opening two fixtures, placing them third in the league standings. While they will take encouragement from their late recovery, they will also look to build on the performance as the season progresses.

Mumbai City, on the other hand, will be disappointed to have let their advantage slip so close to the final whistle. Otormin's penalty had put them in a strong position, but they were unable to prevent Punjab from finding a late route back into the contest.

Ultimately, Gurkirat's 90th-minute header ensured that Punjab came away with a share of the points and kept their early-season momentum going.

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