Bengaluru FC rally twice to defeat Sporting Club Delhi 3-2, as Borja Martínez scores a brace and Menno Koch seals the ISL opener with an 89th-minute winner.
Bengaluru FC began their 2026-27 MG Indian Super League campaign with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Sporting Club Delhi at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday. The Blues had to come from behind twice before Menno Koch headed home an 89th-minute winner. Koch had earlier scored an own goal, while debutant Borja Martínez made an immediate impact with a brace.
Martínez Delivers, But SC Delhi Fight Back
Bengaluru looked dangerous from the opening minutes, with Ryan Williams and Ashique Kuruniyan causing problems down the flanks. Their early pressure paid off in the 22nd minute when Martínez found space outside the box and sent a left-footed shot into the bottom-left corner. Williams set up the Spaniard for his first goal in Bengaluru colours.
SC Delhi did not take long to respond. Four minutes later, Hnamte created the opening for Rodriguinho, who finished from close range to make it 1-1.
The visitors then caught Bengaluru off guard again in the 32nd minute. Juan Pena raced into the box and sent in a cross that Koch accidentally turned into his own net. SC Delhi went into the break with a 2-1 lead, putting the home side under pressure.
Koch Makes Amends With Late Header
Bengaluru kept pushing after the restart, but the equaliser took until the 75th minute to arrive. Martínez was again at the centre of things, finishing with his left foot after Mihailo Perovic picked him out inside the box. His second goal brought Bengaluru back on level terms and gave the hosts a fresh chance to turn the game around.
Substitute Soham Varshneya then helped Bengaluru raise the tempo as they chased a winner. Their persistence finally paid off in the 89th minute, when Varshneya delivered a cross into the box, and Koch rose to head it home.
For the defender, it was a welcome turnaround after his earlier mistake. For Bengaluru, it was a winning start to the new ISL season, secured through a late surge that SC Delhi could not withstand.
Sporting Club Delhi will take encouragement from their performance, but Bengaluru leave with all three points after a game that went down to the final minutes.
ISL 2026-26 – Bengaluru FC vs SC Delhi highlights
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