New Delhi, Friday, April 3:Punjab FC produced a spirited second-half comeback as Nsungusi Jr Effiong restored parity before captain Dani Ramírez completed the turnaround with the winner, securing a 2-1 victory over Mohammedan Sporting Club in the Indian Super League 2025-26 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, after Lalremsanga Fanai had given the visitors the lead in the first half.
The win saw Punjab FC climb to fifth in the standings with 11 points, continuing their positive momentum in the campaign. Captain Dani Ramírez was adjudged the Player of the Match for his decisive performance.
Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis made two changes to his starting XI, bringing in Bede Amarachi Osuji and Suresh Meitei. The Shers made a strong start, dominating possession and creating early opportunities, with Nsungusi Jr Effiong striking the crossbar in the seventh minute and Muhammed Uvais heading narrowly wide soon after.
Despite controlling the early exchanges, Punjab conceded against the run of play in the 29th minute, as Lalremsanga Fanai finished from the right side of the box to give the visitors the lead.
The Shers continued to press for an equaliser, with Ramírez and Nsungusi Jr both coming close, while Suresh Meitei rattled the crossbar with a powerful long-range effort just before halftime.
Dilmperis’ changes at the break proved decisive, as substitutes Muhammad Suhail and Pramveer injected fresh energy into the side. Punjab FC found the equaliser in the 47th minute, when Pramveer switched play to Ramírez, whose delivery into the box was controlled by Samir Zeljković and laid off for Nsungusi Jr to finish calmly.
Punjab completed the turnaround just five minutes later. Ricky Shabong’s long ball found Osuji inside the box, and his square pass was met by Ramírez, who finished first time to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.
Punjab FC continued to push forward in search of a third goal, with Nsungusi Jr forcing a save late on and Ramírez narrowly missing the target.
The hosts remained compact defensively in the closing stages, managing the game effectively to deny Mohammedan any clear chances.
The final whistle confirmed a well-earned 2-1 victory for Punjab FC, as the Shers secured all three points with a strong and composed second-half performance.
