Kolkata, February 16: East Bengal FC began their Indian Super League 2025–26 campaign with authority, defeating NorthEast United FC 3–0 in a commanding opening-night performance. A debut brace from Youssef Ezzejjari and a late strike by Miguel sealed a statement victory for the Red and Gold Brigade, marking East Bengal FC’s first opening-match win in six years in the league.
The match started with a slow rhythm, however East Bengal showed attacking intent early. In the 36th minute, Bipin Singh earned a free-kick on the left flank and took it quickly. Bipin received the return ball inside the box and placed it for Rashid, but Zobaco cleared the danger just before the shot could be taken.
A minute later, Rashid tried a shot from a distance, forcing a sharp save from Gurmeet Singh. The rebound fell to Miguel, whose follow-up effort was once again brilliantly denied by the Northeast United keeper, keeping the score level with two quick reflex saves.
East Bengal came agonisingly close in the 39th minute. Miguel delivered an accurate cross from the left, and Nandha Kumar met it with a flying header that sailed inches over the crossbar, one of the closest moments of the first half.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 65th minute. Bipin sent in a precise cross in which Ezzejjari attempted a powerful header into the net. A moment to be noted as this is his first goal on debut, East Bengal’s first goal of the ISL 2025–26 season, and a spark that lit up the Moshal for the Red and Gold faithful.
Just five minutes later, the lead was doubled. Bipin slipped a through ball to Edmund Lalrindika, who showed great composure inside the box and back minus the ball to well-positioned Ezzejjari. The striker made no mistake, slotting net his second to fuel the moshal and give East Bengal steady control of the match.
The result was sealed deep into stoppage time. After missing several chances earlier, Miguel finally found his reward in the 90+2nd minute. With a through ball, he went into the box and unleashed a finish to score his debut ISL goal, making it 3–0.
It was a statement start under head coach Oscar Bruzon, disciplined, and rhythmically composed. Ezzejjari announced his arrival for the Red and Gold brigade loudly, with a debut brace and the man of the match, while the team’s structure and tempo reflected a side ready to compete from day one in the new season.
Oscar Bruzon highlighted the importance of breaking old mental barriers, especially in opening fixtures where early setbacks had previously crept in. He stressed that the victory was not just about the scoreline, but about setting the right psychological tone for the season ahead.
“It is the first time that in an opening game of the ISL we are getting, finally, three points. But it is also true that in the Super Cup this year we drew with probably the weakest team of the group. In the Challenge League last year we drew with the weakest team of the group. So this was one of the mental things that we were working on. Finally, we wanted to start a competition with a win. And today I think that not only the win, but the performance of the guys looks promising.”
The coach also reserved special praise for the supporters, acknowledging that without their constant backing, the team would not be able to dream big or push their ambitions higher.
For Northeast United FC, it was a night to regroup and reset. The Highlanders struggled to apply sustained pressure and lacked cutting edge in the final third throughout the match, rarely troubling East Bengal FC’s defence.
The NEUFC head coach pointed out repeated losses of possession in midfield and the lack of tactical fouls as key reasons behind the goals conceded. He also admitted that his side missed their usual attacking punch, especially in decisive moments, which allowed East Bengal to take full control of the game.
“The moment we start to play good football, we lose the ball in the middle, we don’t foul in the middle, we just start looking and then we concede, especially in the first and the second was nearly the same style of goals. And our key players on the front, we didn’t have that punch we used to have. And of course, when you don’t like the other team, now you just go to the back, you concede. We didn’t have that punch in the middle. We made that mistake and they scored, then the game finished”.
It may take time for the combinations to settle, and this opening fixture perhaps reflected that transitional phase. After all, this is only the beginning of the campaign.
ISL 2025-26: East Bengal FC vs NorthEast United highlights
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