East Bengal created history by winning their first top-tier title in 22 years after a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Inter Kashi in their final Indian Super League 2026 match in Kolkata on Thursday.
Oscar Bruzon’s East Bengal side fell behind after Alfred Planas (15’) struck for Inter Kashi in the first half at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan.
However, goals by ISL 2026 Golden Boot winner Youssef Ezzejjari and Mohammed Rashid in the second period saw the Kolkata heavyweights win the match and clinch the title.
This was East Bengal’s first league trophy since 2004, when they claimed the top-tier title after the competition was branded as the National Football League.
After an early effort from range by Youssef Ezzejjari missed the target and an acrobatic bicycle kick by Miguel Ferreira was blocked by Narender Gahlot at point-blank range, East Bengal fell behind in the 15th minute.
Inter Kashi broke the deadlock when David Munoz’s pinpoint ball from deep inside his own half found Alfred Planas, who met it first-time and directed it over the goalkeeper to give his side the lead.
East Bengal pushed forward in search of an equaliser for the remainder of the half and created a few chances but couldn’t find the back of the net as they went into the break trailing 1-0.
The Red and Gold Brigade, however, scored the equaliser five minutes into the second half after a defence-splitting pass by Anwar Ali made its way to Ezzejjari, who weaved past the onrushing Inter Kashi defenders before slotting into an empty net.
Buoyed by the equaliser, East Bengal grew in confidence and began to pile pressure on Inter Kashi. Their attacking intent paid dividends in the 73rd minute when Mohammed Rashid turned home Bipin Singh’s cross to hand the Kolkata giants a 2-1 lead.
The final few minutes of the contest saw East Bengal soak up the pressure and look to control the ball to run down the clock and secure their first-ever Indian Super League title.
This was the first time that the ISL did not feature playoffs or a final to decide the champions. The table toppers after the league stage were crowned champions.
East Bengal pipped four other football clubs – Mohun Bagan, Punjab FC, Mumbai City FC and Jamshedpur FC – to the title on the final day of the season.
Mohun Bagan, who were level on points and trailed East Bengal by five goals on goal difference, also came from behind to beat SC Delhi 2-1 but finished second on goal difference.
Mumbai City FC and Punjab FC were locked on 22 points heading into the final round of matches, but the Islanders sealed third place with a 2-0 victory over their direct rivals.
Jamshedpur FC had an outside chance of winning the title with 21 points at the start of the final round of matches but could only manage a 0-0 draw against Odisha FC.
ISL 2025-26 individual award winners
- Golden Boot: Youssef Ezzejjari (East Bengal FC)
- Golden Ball: Miguel Figuera (East Bengal FC)
- Golden Glove: Hrithik Tiwari (FC Goa)
READ MORE: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/indian-super-leage-isl-2026-east-bengal-title-win-report
