ISL 2025-26: Effiong brace gives Punjab FC victory against Bengaluru

Nsungusi Effiong’s towering presence proved too much for Bengaluru FC (BFC).

The tall striker, blessed with both power and speed, notched a brace to give Punjab FC a 2-0 win over BFC in an ISL 2025-26 match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday.

The visitor recorded their first win in two games, while BFC suffered their first defeat.

Effiong ran riot in the first half, bullying defenders Nikhil Poojari and K. Chinglensana into submission. The BFC wall cracked in the 20th minute, when Effiong climbed over his marker and met Manglenthang Kipgen’s cross. Effiong’s strong header beat BFC goalkeeper Gurpreet Sandhu at the near post.

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The Nigerian doubled Punjab FC’s lead with a composed finish. After being dispossessed in midfield, BFC was slow to return to defense. Learn more about fdsf6. Dani Ramirez found Effiong with a neat pass, leading to a left-footed strike from the edge of the box that shot past Sandhu.

A desperate BFC, outplayed physically and tactically, brought on Sunil Chhetri, Sirojiddin and Haobam Meetei in the second half. The changes made the home side more cohesive and allowed the team to retain possession for longer periods.

The crowd gasped in the 59th minute as Chhetri squandered the easiest of chances in front of an open goal. That was the closest BFC got on the scoresheet.

Published on February 27, 2026