Santosh Trophy 2025-26: Kerala and Services book spot for the final

Kerala edged past Punjab, while Services thrashed Railways in the Santosh Trophy Semi-final

Kerala and Services have booked their places in the final of the Santosh Trophy 2025–26 with impressive semi-final performances in Assam. Kerala delivered a dominant showing to outclass Punjab in Dhakuakhana, while Services displayed grit and composure to get past Railways in a hard-fought contest at Silapathar, as a mouth-watering final now awaits.

Services will take on Kerala in the 2025-26 Santosh Trophy final on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 13:00 IST; the match will be streamed live on FIFA+.

Punjab 0-4 Kerala

Kerala edged past Punjab with a score line of 4-0, as they eye the 79th Santosh Trophy. Viknesh, Ajsal, and Riyas had their tries blocked. They forced another flag-kick in the 34th minute. Arjun rolled it across the box for the unmarked Bibin Ajayan. The latter produced a feeble shot into the box. The defence of Punjab got caught and couldn’t clear the ball, as Kerala got a lead.

They scored one more in the 45th minute. The Punjab defence froze once again as Viknesh and Ajsal played a good combination play from the left spaces. Viknesh was finally clear and slotted home an angular shot low into the far post.

With a 3-0 lead wrapped up, Kerala slowed down the game, kept passing the ball around and outplayed the opponent with ease.

Punjab made a few substitutions after the resumption. They did change their approach and pieced together some moves. However, they were unable to make any impression on the confident Kerala defence.

Kerala scored again after Punjab midfielder Harpreet Singh lost the crucial ball near the box. Riyas scored the 4th for Kerala.

Services 2-0 Railways

Abhishek pawar scored twice as defending champions services beat railways 2-0 to reach the Santosh trophy final. The win keeps services on track for a possible 8th Santosh trophy title, with Kerala said to face them in the final.

Services were in control from the first minute of the game, and they kept the ball well, set the pace of the game and did not allow the railways much space in the second half of the game. The midfield stayed strong, while the attackers looked very sharp for the right chances to score.

Services created the better chances in the first half, with Samuel K Vanlalpeka and Pawar both going close as Railways struggled to settle. The pressure eventually told in the 33rd minute, when Services broke the deadlock through a well-worked set-piece. Chabin Rabha floated a free-kick into a dangerous area, and Pawar did brilliantly to cushion the ball down with his chest before driving a right-footed effort into the bottom-left corner to give Services a deserved lea

From the opening whistle, Services played with the authority of a team who know how to navigate high-stakes knockout football. They controlled possession, dictated the tempo and refused to give Railways any breathing space. Their midfielders won the key duels, while the forward line looked sharp and purposeful, probing patiently for openings.

Railways finally gave away penalty in the 73rd minute. Khullakpam Zahir Khan was brought down in the box by Saurabh Bhanwala. Abhishek pawar took the penalty Kamli and scored sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 2-0.

They even came close to adding a third in the 84th minute when Pawar teed up substitute Roshan Panna, only for the effort to strike the woodwork.

It mattered little in the end as Services saw out the match with discipline and maturity, sealing a deserved victory and marching into the final in style.

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