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Bengaluru FC beat Sporting Club Delhi 3-2 with an 89th-minute winner from Menno Koch in their Indian Super League 2026-27 opener, while FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC drew 1-1.
Bengaluru FC got off to a stunning win.
(@bengalurufc)
Bengaluru FC kicked off their Indian Super League 2026-27 campaign with a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Sporting Club Delhi, while FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the season on Saturday. The League couldn’t have asked for a better start as new streaming partner YouTube garnered millions of views and huge social media chatter.
At the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, Menno Koch scored an 89th-minute winner to complete the hosts’ comeback after they had fallen behind 2-1 at half-time. Meanwhile, in the second fixture, Chennaiyin took the lead through Irfan Yadwad before Chiki’s second-half header secured a point for Goa.
Bengaluru started their campaign on the front foot, pressing high and using the pace of Ryan Williams and Ashique Kuruniyan to put the Delhi defence under pressure. Their attacking approach yielded results in the 22nd minute when debutant Borja Martinez opened the scoring with a left-footed strike from outside the box, finding the bottom-left corner after receiving a pass from Williams.
Sporting Club Delhi responded four minutes later, with Hnamte creating the equaliser for Rodriguinho, who finished from close range with his right foot. The visitors then moved ahead in the 32nd minute when Juan Pena broke into the box and delivered a dangerous cross that Koch inadvertently turned into his own net.
Bengaluru had to wait until the 75th minute to restore parity. Martinez completed his brace with another left-footed finish, this time from the left side of the box, after being set up by Mihailo Perovic.
With momentum shifting in their favour, the hosts pushed for a winner. Substitute Soham Varshneya made an impact after coming on, and his cross in the 89th minute found Koch, who headed home to make amends for his earlier own goal and seal all three points for Bengaluru.
In the other match, FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC played out a competitive draw after a goalless first half. Both sides attempted to build attacks from the back but struggled to create a clear opening before the break.
Chennaiyin broke the deadlock in the 64th minute when Irfan Yadwad struck a right-footed effort into the far corner. The visitors looked to extend their advantage, with Ramon Taque testing the Goa defence with an effort from a tight angle.
Goa stepped up their attack in response. Ramon came close to equalising in the 70th minute with a curling long-range effort that struck the post, while Udanta Singh’s attempt rattled the crossbar.
The hosts eventually found their equaliser in the 75th minute. After Udanta was fouled in the attacking half, Goa won a free kick, and Chiki converted with a header into the bottom-right corner.
Both teams continued to search for a winner in the closing stages. Chiki had another opportunity in the 79th minute, while Ramon headed over the bar at the other end with the goalkeeper off his line. However, neither side could find a decisive goal, and the points were shared in Goa’s season opener.
As of 11 PM IST, the matches had gleaned over 10 million views on YouTube alone, speaking volumes of the league’s popularity despite the ups and downs over the years.
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Ask News18Bengaluru FC secured a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory against Sporting Club Delhi, capped by Menno Koch scoring an 89th-minute header.
Ask News18October 10, 2026, 23:05 IST
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