Pictures by Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency.
Inter Kashi 1 (Alfred Planas, 14)
East Bengal 2 (Youssef Ezzejjari, 50, Mohammed Rashid, 72)
Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency, Kolkata: Tears flowed, the Red and Gold scarves swirled in the air and decades of pain disappeared into one unforgettable night as East Bengal finally reclaimed their place at the summit of Indian football. Twenty-two long years after their last national league triumph, the Red-and-Gold Brigade were crowned champions of India after defeating Inter Kashi 2-1 in a nerve-shredding Indian Super League 2025-26 finale at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
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.
The victory ensured East Bengal finished at the top of the ISL table with 26 points from 13 matches. Mohun Bagan Super Giant also won their final match against Sporting Club Delhi by the same 2-1 scoreline and finished level on points, but East Bengal’s superior goal difference of five finally ended the club’s agonising wait for a national league title.
Yet the night began with tension and anxiety gripping the home supporters. The enormity of the occasion seemed to weigh heavily on East Bengal as Inter Kashi stunned the crowd with an early goal.
Oscar Bruzon’s men started brightly enough, with Ezzejjari and Miguel Figueira testing Inter Kashi from distance in the opening exchanges. Despite the early pressure, Inter Kashi remained composed and organised before striking against the run of play in the 14th minute.
David Munoz floated a long ball towards the East Bengal penalty area and Alfred Planas timed his run perfectly to latch onto it. Without hesitation, the Spaniard struck a magnificent first-time volley that flew beyond Prabhsukhan Gill and into the net, silencing the stadium.