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Messi Bouli scores in the first and last minutes as Punjab FC beat Odisha FC
The forward struck inside a minute and again five minutes into stoppage time to give Punjab a 2-1 win in their ISL opener in New Delhi.
Key points
- Punjab FC beat Odisha FC 2-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.
- Messi Bouli scored inside the first minute and again in the 95th.
- Odisha's equaliser came from a Thoiba Moirangthem header in the 15th minute.
Messi Bouli scored inside the first minute and again five minutes into stoppage time as Punjab FC beat Odisha FC 2-1 in their opening Indian Super League match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Punjab went ahead almost from the kick-off. Muhammed Uvais crossed into the box and Bouli swept a right-footed shot into the bottom corner.
Odisha were level in the 15th minute. Lalthathanga Khawlhring swung in a corner and Thoiba Moirangthem headed it in.
The rest of the first half was open. Alfred Planas tested Odisha goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari and Mahmoud Eid wasted a good chance for the visitors in the 18th minute.
Both sides kept pressing after the break. Bouli, Planas and Bijoy Varghese all went close for Punjab, and Tiwari saved from Diego Raposo. Odisha brought on Everton Nascimento and Lalrinfela Khiangte in the 64th minute and grew more dangerous from set pieces, forcing Punjab goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh into a save from Eid.
Punjab finished the stronger side. Tiwari kept out substitute Gurkirat Singh in the 85th minute and Uvais shot narrowly wide a minute later.
The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time. Arshdeep blocked a shot from Nihal Sudheesh at one end, Punjab went straight up the other end, and Vishal Yadav set up Bouli to finish with his left foot for the winner.
The result gives Punjab three points from their first game of a season that began last weekend.