By beating Punjab FC 2-0 through goals by Hmingthanmawia Ralte and Vikram Singh, Mumbai City FC kept its end of the bargain on the final day of the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Thursday. But it wasn’t enough for the title to come its way as East Bengal defeated Inter Kashi 2-1 in Kolkata to be crowned champion.

The result in the national capital ensured a third-placed finish for Mumbai City. Punjab ended fifth in the standings with 22 points from 13 games.

As the contest started to slip away from the host, its players lost composure. Rash tackles by Leon Augustine and Pramveer Singh – in the 67th and 90th minute respectively – meant Punjab was reduced to nine men by the end. Goal-scorer Vikram, with two yellow cards, was also sent off for Mumbai City towards the end of stoppage time.

After a drab first half, the game sprung to life only near the hour mark when Mumbai City’s Lallianzuala Chhangte and Jorge Diaz nearly combined for the opening goal. However, Punjab’s defence dealt with the danger tidily.

Barely a couple of minutes later, Punjab should have taken the lead. Off a corner taken by Daniel Ramirez, Nsungusi Effiong leapt over a defender and teed up Bede Osuji with a header. The substitute was unchallenged from close range, and yet failed to keep his shot on target.

Once Augustine was given the marching orders, Mumbai City made the most of the numerical advantage.

The result: Punjab FC 0 lost to Mumbai City FC 2 (Hmingthanmawia Ralte 80, Vikram Singh 90+11).

Chennaiyin FC did not have a smooth ride into the sunset as it ended its already dismal Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 campaign with a 1-2 loss against Bengaluru FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday (May 16, 2026).

Daniel Chima Chukwu and Ryan Williams traded strikes in the first half, before debutant Serto Worneilen Kom bagged a late winner, leaving Chennaiyin 13th in the table with just nine points.

In sweltering conditions, Bengaluru asserted control courtesy of its four-man midfield with Braian Sanchez and Soham Varshneya testing the opposition goalkeeper in the opening half hour.

But for all its dominance, it was Chennaiyin that surprisingly broke the deadlock.

Chukwu started the swift move by winning the ball in the middle of the pitch and distributing it before running up to take up position inside the box. The ball, meanwhile, made its way around to Mandar Rao Desai, who was played through on the left wing before laying it on a plate for Chukwu.

Bengaluru was desperate for an equaliser before the break, and this time its hunger was rewarded as William pulled off a crisp one-touch move with Lalremtluanga Fanai to set himself up for an easy finish from close range.

The visitors sealed the game in the closing stages of a drab second half after Williams breached the box before cutting the ball back to Fanai. Pritam Kotal stood strong to block his shot, only to see the loose ball smashed into an empty goal by substitute Kom, who took advantage of a snoozing defence.

With the win, Bengaluru kept its mathematical title chances alive and temporarily leads the standings with 23 points.

The result: Chennaiyin FC 1 (Daniel Chima Chukwu 34) lost to Bengaluru FC 2 (Ryan Williams 43, Serto Worneilen Kom 89).

Punjab FC will aim to bounce back in the Indian Super League when it faces Inter Kashi at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Monday.

The side, coached by Greece’s Panagiotis Dilmperis, was stung by a heart-wrenching 2-3 defeat to Mohun Bagan Super Giant in its previous encounter on April 12.