Santosh Trophy 2025-26: Punjab and Railways book Quarter-Final berths

Punjab shine, Railways hold firm to reach Santosh Trophy Quarterfinals

Group B of the 79th Santosh Trophy 2025–26 Final Round continued to produce competitive and engaging football as Punjab and Railways secured their quarter-final berths through crucial results on Saturday.

Played across Dhakuakhana and Silapathar in Assam, the latest set of matches reshaped the group standings, underlining the importance of every point as teams pushed hard for a place in the knockout stages.

Punjab 5-2 Odisha

Punjab marched into the quarterfinals of the Santosh Trophy 2025–26 with a commanding 5–2 win over Odisha, powered by a brilliant hat-trick from Himangshu Jangra at the Dhakuakhana Football Stadium.

The forward was at the heart of a clinical attacking performance, striking three times in the second half after early goals from Harmanpreet Singh and Samson Keishing had given Punjab control of the contest. Odisha tried to stay in the fight through goals from Kartik Hantal and Arbin Lakra, but Punjab’s composure in key moments proved decisive.

Punjab set the tone early, with goals from Harmanpreet Singh in the 12th minute and Samson Keishing in the 28th, before Jangra took charge after the break. The forward struck three times in the second half (47’, 81’, 90+4’) to put the result beyond doubt. Odisha found the net through Kartik Hantal (37’) and Arbin Lakra (79’) but were ultimately outpaced by Punjab’s attacking intent.

The result underlined Punjab’s authority on the day as they booked their quarter-final spot with an emphatic win.

Railways 2-2 Meghalaya

Railways and Meghalaya played out an exciting 2–2 draw at the Silapathar Football Stadium, with all four goals coming in a frantic spell after a goalless first half.

Railways broke the deadlock in the 65th minute when Mebankhraw Khyriem Wahlang turned the ball into his own net. Meghalaya responded almost immediately, with Apborlang Kurbah finishing from close range in the 66th minute to level the scores.

Meghalaya then took the lead in the 73rd minute as midfielder Hardy Cliff Nongbri floated a free-kick into the box, allowing Mebankhraw Khyriem to chest the ball home. Railways hit back just two minutes later, with Johnson Joseph Mathews curling a superb right-footed strike into the top corner to restore parity.

In the final stages, both teams pushed for a winner. Meghalaya pressed forward while Railways held firm at the back, and despite some late chances, the match ended 2–2, reflecting the closely contested nature of the game.

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