East Bengal FC ended a 22-year wait for a national league title by defeating Inter Kashi 2-1 in the ISL 2025-26 final in Kolkata. Goals from Youssef Ezzejjari and Mohammed Rashid sealed a dramatic comeback win as East Bengal topped the table on goal difference ahead of Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
Kolkata: Decades of pain and disappointment dissolved in tears of joy as East Bengal finally reclaimed their place at the summit of Indian football, winning their maiden title in the Indian Super League on Thursday, 22 years after their last national league triumph.
The Red-and-Gold Brigade were crowned champions of India on a historic Thursday night by defeating Inter Kashi 2-1 in a nerve-shredding ISL 2025-26 finale at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Thursday.
When the final whistle blew, the stadium erupted into scenes of pure emotion. Players collapsed to the ground, fans embraced in disbelief, and chants of “East Bengal, East Bengal” thundered around the packed arena.
Mohammed Rashid emerged as the unlikely hero with the decisive winner in the 72nd minute after league top scorer Youssef Ezzejjari had brought East Bengal level early in the second half, cancelling out Alfred Planas’ 14th-minute strike for Inter Kashi with a 50th-minute goal of his own.
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