Kolkata, February 27: East Bengal FC fell short in their third fixture of the Indian Super League 2025–26 against Jamshedpur FC, ending their winning streak on Friday evening at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. Meanwhile, Jamshedpur FC continued their winning run and moved to the top of the points table.
The first-half display was one of intense football from both teams, a scrappy contest until the 40th minute, when the Red and Gold Brigade broke the deadlock and took the lead.
The Red Miners found the net early in the match in the 7th minute when Messi Bouli scored, but he failed to notice that he was offside, and the goal was disallowed. In the 17th minute, Jamshedpur FC earned a free kick from a promising position on the left side outside the box. Former East Bengal midfielder Madih Talal took a shot on target, but Gill was alert to save it, conceding a corner. Soon after, the Red Miners earned another free kick, but the net remained untouched.
In the 24th minute, Bipin Singh delivered a pinpoint low cross into the box, where debutant Anton Sojberg met it but failed to connect cleanly, sending the effort wide. Then, in the 40th minute, from another goal-bound attack down the left, Bipin Singh once again sent a cross into the box. Jamshedpur defender Pratick Chowdhury attempted to clear it with a header, but the clearance was not appropriate, and the ball fell to Edmund inside the box, who calmly sent it into the net, giving East Bengal FC the lead.
In the second-half display, East Bengal started with the rhythm they took from the first half, but the half ended in the name of the Red Miners. In the 60th minute, with an attacking move, Messi Bouli from the right, in between a bunch of Red and Gold shirts, came out and placed the ball into the box. From close range, Madih Talal attempted a shot, but Gill saved it, seeming the finest chance for Jamshedpur. But the guilt didn’t last long, as with that move the Red Miners earned a corner, and from Nikola’s corner, Stephen Eze headed the equaliser for Jamshedpur FC.
In the 67th minute, Rashid almost found the lead, but Albino Gomes made a crucial save, awarding them a corner. From the corner, Jay Gupta capitalised on a scoring chance, but once again Albino saved the threat for his team.
However, in the 88th minute, Jamshedpur FC found the lead. Playing a one-two, Madih Talal and substitute Rei Tachikawa combined showcased a masterpiece, as Madih Talal passed the ball to Tachikawa, who moved forward and unleashed a long-range curling shot which went in off the top corner, sealing the score at 2–1 for them.
In the end, the contest unfolded exactly as Oscar Bruzon had outlined in the pre-match, a true head-to-head clash where space was scarce, intensity was high, and execution proved decisive. Both sides tried to impose their styles and neutralise each other’s strengths, but Jamshedpur FC capitalised when it mattered most.
The result brought an end to East Bengal FC’s winning streak after two victories, as they fell in their third match despite a competitive display. On the other hand, Jamshedpur FC continued their impressive run, moving to the top of the table with nine points.
ISL 2025-26 – East Bengal FC vs Jamshedpur FC highlights
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