East Bengal lift maiden ISL title in dramatic comeback win over Inter Kashi, end 22-year drought for national trophy

Kolkata football giants East Bengal ended a 22-year drought by winning the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 title on a nail-biting final matchday. The Red and Gold Brigade staged a stunning second-half turnaround to beat Inter Kashi 2-1 at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Thursday (May 21), sealing their first-ever ISL crown.

East Bengal's heroic fightback lights up final day

Inter Kashi took an early lead when Alfred Planas fired in a crisp first-time finish with his instep just before halftime. But East Bengal refused to wilt. In the second half, they roared back with quickfire goals from Youssef Ezzejjari and Mohammed Rashid. The winning strike from Rashid sent the packed stands into wild celebrations as the final whistle blew on a historic night for the club.

This victory was not just about three points. It marked East Bengal's return to the top of Indian football after more than two decades without a top-flight title. Fans who had waited patiently through lean seasons finally saw their team lift the ISL trophy.

Mohun Bagan fall short despite late winner

City rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant kept the title race alive until the last minute. They edged Sporting Club Delhi 2-1 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, with Jamie Maclaren scoring a dramatic 99th-minute winner. However, the result came too late. Bagan needed a massive goal swing to overtake East Bengal, but the damage was already done at the other Kolkata venue.

Both Kolkata clubs finished with 26 points from 13 matches. East Bengal topped the table thanks to a superior goal difference of +19 compared to Bagan's +14. The head-to-head drama between the two giants kept fans glued to their screens across the country.

Other results seal the deal

While Kolkata stole the spotlight, the remaining fixtures added their own twists. Mumbai City FC comfortably beat nine-man Punjab FC 2-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Jamshedpur FC and Odisha FC played out a goalless draw at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur.

All four matches kicked off simultaneously at 7:30 PM IST, creating a perfect climax to the 2025-26 season. Going into the final day, five teams still had a mathematical chance of winning the title, making every goal across the venues crucial.

Final ISL 2025-26 standings

East Bengal topped the table with 26 points, followed closely by Mohun Bagan Super Giant on the same points. Mumbai City FC finished third with 25 points. The full standings reflected a tightly contested season right until the end.

A new chapter for East Bengal

The triumph brings immense pride to the East Bengal faithful. From early-season struggles to this unforgettable final-day glory, the team showed character and resilience. As the players lifted the trophy under the floodlights, it felt like Indian football had come full circle.