Bengaluru, 10 October 2026: Bengaluru FC came from behind to beat Sporting Club Delhi 3-2 in their opening match of the 2026-27 MG Indian Super League at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday, with Menno Koch heading in the winner in the 89th minute.
For Koch, a debutant, the goal made up for an own goal he had conceded in the first half.
Martínez opens his account
Bengaluru started on the front foot, pressing high and using the pace of wide players Ryan Williams and Ashique Kuruniyan to stretch the SC Delhi defence.
The pressure paid off in the 22nd minute. Debutant Borja Martínez, set up by Williams, struck a left-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom-left corner.
The lead lasted four minutes. Young SC Delhi midfielder Hnamte created the chance for Rodriguinho, who finished with his right foot from close range in the 26th minute.
SC Delhi went ahead in the 32nd minute. Juan Pena used his pace to get into the box and sent in a dangerous cross that Koch turned into his own net. The visitors took a 2-1 lead into half-time.
Second-half comeback
Bengaluru kept pushing after the break but had to wait until the 75th minute for the equaliser. Martínez scored his second of the night with another composed left-footed finish from the left side of the box, this time after a pass from Mihailo Perovic.
The home side then went for all three points. Young midfielder Soham Varshneya came off the bench and brought fresh energy to the attack, and it was his cross in the 89th minute that found Koch. The Dutch defender rose to head the ball home and complete the comeback.
SC Delhi had come to Bengaluru without fear. Before the match, their coach Tomasz Tchórz said: “Bengaluru is a big opponent, but we are not going there with any fear. We are going there to compete and get a result.”
They did push the hosts throughout and led for more than 40 minutes, but left with nothing to show for it.
Key moments
- 22’ – Borja Martínez (Bengaluru FC), assisted by Ryan Williams
- 26’ – Rodriguinho (SC Delhi), assisted by Hnamte
- 32’ – Menno Koch own goal (SC Delhi lead 2-1)
- 75’ – Borja Martínez (Bengaluru FC), assisted by Mihailo Perovic
- 89’ – Menno Koch (Bengaluru FC), assisted by Soham Varshneya
A 13-team league
The 2026-27 ISL has 13 clubs: Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Churchill Brothers FC, East Bengal FC, FC Goa, Inter Kashi FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC, Punjab FC and Sporting Club Delhi.
The league now runs on a club-led commercial model, with the participating clubs holding the commercial rights and control over key administrative and operational matters.
Bengaluru’s three points give them a winning start at home, while SC Delhi will look to turn a competitive display into points in their next match.
