Abhishek Pawar emerged as the hero once again as Services clinched the Santosh Trophy 2025-26 title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kerala in the final at the Dhakuakhana Football Stadium on Sunday.
Locked in a tense battle for most of the contest, the match was ultimately decided in the second half of extra-time when Pawar struck with clinical precision. The forward, who had also scored the winner against Kerala in their previous meeting, registered his seventh goal of the tournament by steering a side volley into the net, sealing a dramatic finish to the championship clash.
The win handed Services their eighth Santosh Trophy title, underlining their reputation as one of the most disciplined and organised sides in the competition. For Kerala, it was another painful near miss. The seven-time champions suffered their second consecutive final defeat, having gone down to West Bengal on penalties in last season’s summit clash.
Kerala came into the final with confidence after a dominant 4-0 semifinal win over Punjab and began the match on the front foot. Their attacking intent was clear early on, with Arjun V coming agonisingly close in the 27th minute. His powerful left-footed strike from outside the box beat the goalkeeper but crashed against the post, leaving the stadium gasping as the ball bounced back into play.
Despite Kerala’s aggressive approach, Services stayed true to the defensive solidity that had carried them through the tournament. The side, which finished the group stage as the second-best defensive team and advanced through the knockout rounds without conceding a single goal, once again proved difficult to break down. At times, they dropped as many as six players into the defensive line, crowding the box and frustrating Kerala’s forwards.
As the match wore on and fatigue set in, clear chances became increasingly rare. Kerala continued to push, but Services remained patient, waiting for an opening. That moment arrived when Kerala briefly lost concentration in extra-time. A swift counterattack saw substitute Shubham Rana deliver a teasing cross from the left, and Pawar made no mistake with his finish.
The late goal proved decisive, allowing Services to lift the Santosh Trophy once again, while Kerala were left to rue missed chances and another final that slipped just beyond their grasp.
