Santosh Trophy 2025-26: Punjab, Railways advance to quarter-finals

Punjab and Railways confirmed their progress to the quarter-finals of the 79th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy 2025-26 Final Round as the former defeated Odisha, while the latter drew against Meghalaya at Dhakuakhana and Silapathar respectively on Saturday.

With Kerala’s match against Services postponed to Sunday, the last spot in Group B still remains wide open. Kerala had already qualified with a match in hand and are sure to finish top of the group with 10 points from four matches so far. Railways and Punjab came second and third respectively, with seven points each; the former leads the way with a better head-to-head record. Meghalaya is fourth with six points, Services is fifth with three and Odisha is at the bottom with two.

While Sunday’s match may not affect Kerala, Services has everything to play for. A win would take the score to six points, the same as Meghalaya, which currently occupies the last qualifying spot for the quarter-finals. Should both teams remain stuck on six points, Services would take the last qualifying spot thanks to a better goal difference, as the match against Meghalaya ended in a 2-2 draw. In any other outcome, Meghalaya will survive.

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Punjab 5-2 Odisha

Himangshu Jangra scored a brilliant hat-trick as Punjab produced a clinical attacking display to beat Odisha 5-2 and seal their place in the last eight leg.

Punjab’s goals came from Harmanpreet Singh (12′), Samson Keishing (28′) and a hat-trick from Himangshu Jangra (47′, 81′, 90+4′), while Odisha replied through Kartik Hantal (37′) and Arbin Lakra (79′).

Railways 2-2 Meghalaya

After a blank first half, Railways and Meghalaya took turns taking the lead, but neither time lasted more than a minute as the score ended at 2-2.

Railways took the lead in the 65th minute when Mebankhraw Khyriem Wahlang turned the ball into his own net. Meghalaya equalized in the 65th when Apborlang Kurbah scored. Meghalaya then took the lead through Mebankhraw Khyriem in the 73rd minute before Railways restored parity when Johnson curled Joseph Mathews onto his right foot in the 75th minute.

Published on January 31, 2026