Punjab FC pulled off a stunning victory at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, scoring a 95th minute winner to defeat Kerala Blasters in their opening game of the 2024-25 Indian Super League season. It capped off a frenetic last 10 minutes, which saw Luka Macjen score in the 86th minute, and then had the Blasters equalise via Jesus Jimenez in the 92nd minute, only for Filip Mrzljak to score a 95th-minute winner and thus silence the home crowd.
The game began with both teams having surprises in their lineup - KBFC were without Adrian Luna due to a reported illness, while Punjab had left Luka Macjen on the bench. It played out on the pitch, with barely a shot on goal in the first half. It was an attritional game with both teams packing the midfield and defence, and chances were few and far between.
Punjab did have the ball in the net in the first half - Mushaga Bakenga scoring with a lovely chip over the keeper - but the goal was ruled out for offside as both teams went into the break goalless.
Mikael Stahre and Panagiotis Dilmperis made changes in the second half, with Vibin Mohanan's entry proving impactful for the Kerala Blasters. Noah Sadaoui stung the palms of Ravi Kumar with a rasping shot, but chances remained few and far between. Luka Macjen came on and also made an instant impact, shooting at goal with his second touch.
The game still looked to be drifting into a goalless end, but came alive in the 85th minute. Muhammed Saheef tripped Leon Augustine in the box, resulting in a clear penalty. Luka Macjen stepped up and confidently struck it into the bottom corner to give Punjab the lead. The Blasters looked to have lost the game, but scored out of nowhere in injury time.
Pritam Kotal produced a superb cross from the right wing, and Jesus Jimenez towered above everyone else in the box to power a header into the net, scoring in the 92nd minute and watching the stadium erupt. However, the host's joy was shortlived, as Punjab scored a late winner three minutes later.
Leon chipped a ball into the box, where Macjen was on hand to hold off his marker, control and pass the ball while falling to the floor. His clever layoff bisected the host's defence and trickled to Filip on the right channel of the box. The midfielder took a touch, and rifled the ball home from a narrow angle to silence the home crowd. There was further late drama after a poor challenge from Rahul KP on Macjen saw him escape a red card, but Punjab held on to win the game.
(You can relive the match, as it happened, below.)