Vanuatu upset PNG in a thrilling penalty shootout to claim the MSG PM’s Cup

A heart-stopping Melanesian Spearhead Group Prime Minister’s Cup Men’s Grand Final saw the resilient Vanuatu side stun PNG with a 5-4 win in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in extra time on Sunday, 23rd November 2025, at Sir John Guise Stadium, Port Moresby. 

Despite the bad weather affecting the pitch, both teams rose to the occasion and delivered a money’s worth performance, with the match going down to the wire and leaving the fans on the edge of their seats.

A very tight and intense first half, coupled with the wet conditions, did not help either side’s cause. However, heading towards the last quarter of the 45-minute contest, an individual effort by Vanuatu’s Alex Saniel broke the deadlock to lead 1-0 at the break. 

PNG quickly swung the momentum in the second half and registered an equaliser through substitute player Ati Kepo’s powerful strike, who was assisted by Daniel Joe’s pinpoint halfway mark kick.

The match turned into a tug-of-war following Kepo’s goal, which ended the game in a cliffhanger and pushed the decider to extra time, with 15 minutes given each way.   

Vanuatu netted their second goal in the first 15 minutes of the extra time, and PNG returned the favor to level the score at 2-2. 

After the tie, the arm wrestle peaked in the second spell of the extra time as both teams juggled for ball possession and field territory to seal the deal.

However, no team managed to ice the game in the extra time, levelling the score at 2 goals apiece and sending the match into a penalty shootout. 

Just when PNG was about to put the game beyond doubt in the penalty shootout, Vanuatu held their composure and nailed a 5-4 goal to cap off the big dance in a dramatic grandstand finish.  

The Vanuatu men's team won their first Melanesian Spearhead Group Prime Minister’s Cup (Melanesian Cup then) in 1990. After 35 years, the Ni-Vanuatu claimed their second title on PNG’s home soil, setting a new record for the passionate football-dominated country.

Meanwhile, the PNG women’s side mercilessly smashed Fiji with a convincing 3-0 victory to clinch the inaugural Women's MSG PM’s Cup and etched their names into the Melanesian football archives.