Mumbai City FC picked up their first point of the MG Indian Super League 2026-27 season with a 1-1 draw against Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi on Monday. Leandro Otormín gave the Islanders the lead from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute, before Gurkirat Singh headed home a late equaliser for the hosts in the 90th minute.
The hosts created the first chance in the fourth minute, when Laishram Rishikanta Meitei’s long-range right-footed effort was brilliantly saved by TP Rehenesh.
The Islanders were forced into a change in the 21st minute when Vikram went off following a shin-to-shin challenge with Rishikanta Meitei. He was replaced by Farukh Choudhary. The first half was largely a contest between the wingers of both sides.
Punjab came close to opening the scoring just before the break. In the second minute of first-half stoppage time, Lhungdim’s left-footed long-range curler struck the top-right corner of the crossbar. The first half ended goalless.
Mumbai City began the second half promisingly. Valpuia delivered a cross in the 47th minute, but Farukh could not direct his header on target.
The breakthrough came in the 63rd minute when Noufal was fouled inside the box by Bijoy Varghese, earning Mumbai City a penalty. Otormín stepped up and drove the ball into the bottom-left corner to put the Islanders ahead.
Mumbai City made two more changes in the 86th minute, with Hridaya Jain replacing Noufal and Muhammad Ajsal coming on for Zothanpuia.
Punjab found their equaliser in the 90th minute. Sanathoi Meitei delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, and Gurkirat Singh rose to head the ball home against his former club. It was his first goal for Punjab, earning the hosts a share of the points.
Manolo Márquez’s side will now turn their attention to their next fixture, an away clash against Kerala Blasters FC on Sunday, 25 October.
