East Bengal Triumphs in ISL 2025-26, Ending 22-Year Title Drought

A Night of Celebration

Emotions ran high as tears flowed and Red and Gold scarves waved in jubilation, marking a historic moment for East Bengal as they reclaimed their status at the pinnacle of Indian football. After a 22-year wait since their last national league victory, the Red-and-Gold Brigade emerged as champions by defeating Inter Kashi 2-1 in a thrilling finale of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 at Kishore Bharati Krirangan on May 21, 2026.

The Final Whistle and Emotional Scenes

As the final whistle blew, the stadium erupted in a wave of emotion. Players fell to the ground, fans embraced in disbelief, and chants of 'East Bengal, East Bengal' echoed throughout the packed venue.

A Dramatic Final

Mohammed Rashid became the unexpected hero, scoring the decisive goal in the 72nd minute. Earlier, league top scorer Youssef Ezzejjari had equalized for East Bengal in the 50th minute, following Alfred Planas' opening goal for Inter Kashi in the 14th minute. This victory secured East Bengal's top position in the ISL standings with 26 points from 13 matches. Mohun Bagan Super Giant also won their final match against Sporting Club Delhi by 2-1, finishing with the same points, but East Bengal's superior goal difference of five clinched the title.

Inter Kashi's Early Shock

The match began with palpable tension among East Bengal supporters. Inter Kashi stunned the crowd with an early goal. Despite East Bengal's initial pressure, Inter Kashi struck first in the 14th minute when Alfred Planas executed a stunning volley from a long ball by David Munoz, silencing the stadium.

East Bengal's Response

Fear gripped the stands momentarily as East Bengal struggled to respond. They nearly equalized eight minutes later when Ezzejjari missed a close-range opportunity. Inter Kashi continued to threaten, with Planas nearly doubling their lead before halftime.

A Resurgent East Bengal

After halftime, East Bengal returned with renewed vigor. In the 50th minute, Anwar Ali delivered a brilliant pass to Ezzejjari, who skillfully equalized by nutmegging the goalkeeper. The stadium erupted in joy, and the atmosphere shifted dramatically.

Rashid's Historic Goal

The winning goal came in the 72nd minute through sheer determination. Bipin Singh's cross found Rashid, who guided the ball into the net, igniting wild celebrations among fans and players alike. East Bengal held on to their lead with resilience until the final whistle, marking the end of years of frustration.

ISL 2025-26 Awards and Prize Money

The Indian Super League 2025-26 individual awards were as follows: Golden Boot: Youssef Ezzejjari, Golden Ball: Miguel Figuera, Golden Glove: Hrithik Tiwari. The champions, East Bengal FC, received a prize of Rs 1.25 crore.