New Delhi: East Bengal on Thursday were crowned the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) champions, fending off the challenge of four other clubs in what was a blockbuster final matchday of the truncated season.The last time East Bengal lifted the league title, in 2004, the top division of Indian football was called the National Football League. It has seen multiple avatars since: the I-League, Indian Super League and I-League before the current rendition in the ISL. In the 22 years since that glory, East Bengal have not been able to add to their three national league titles. They have finished second six times in the NFL/I-League era, while their best finish since joining the ISL fold had been ninth.Until this season.The current season of 13 games each produced a title race for the ages. East Bengal, city rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Punjab FC, Mumbai City FC and Jamshedpur FC were all in with a chance as games kicked off simultaneously.So much so that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) stationed the shiny ISL trophy in their Kolkata office, with the Kishore Bharati Krirangan (temporary home of Inter Kashi) and Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (home of Mohun Bagan Super Giant) as its destinations.Had the results gone any differently, the other options involved a flight for the glittering silverware, with one of Mumbai, Jamshedpur or Punjab as the final destination.
Action from East Bengal vs Inter Kashi in the ISL. (Image: Emami East Bengal)
In the end, holding their fate in their own hands, East Bengal came from behind and beat Inter Kashi 2-1 courtesy goals from Youssef Ezzejjari and Rashid. Mohun Bagan, who produced a comeback of their own to beat SC Delhi 2-1, were top of the table for 51 minutes as Alfred put Inter Kashi ahead. But with their title aspirations not in their hands, Mohun Bagan were denied and finish the season level with their city rivals but with an inferior goal difference. In the day’s other games, Mumbai City FC beat Punjab FC 2-0 to take the third spot in the standings. Jamshedpur FC and Odisha FC played out a goalless draw.East Bengal manager Oscar Bruzon captured the emotions perfectly on the eve of the game. “We cannot hide from the fact that now it is one game for one title. If we want to take one game at a time, now is the moment to take one title at a time,” he said.
East Bengal players celebrate after scoring against Inter Kashi. (FanCode)
On the pitch, the Red and Gold Brigade played like it was indeed “one title at a time”, with the intensity no different from what had already been visible throughout the season.With only one loss in the campaign, East Bengal have been far and away the best side. They have scored the most goals (30), have the strongest goal difference (+19), seen Youssef Ezzejjari bag the Golden Boot (11goals), while Miguel Figueira has provided the most assists (6).Ezzejjari’s impact has been felt most in home fixtures, with 10 of his 11 goals coming at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. He has also been influential off the bench. In four games in which he was brought on, he scored three goals. Collectively, Ezzejjari and Edmund Lalrindika have been the most lethal attacking duo of the ISL season (15 goals).All statistics aside, East Bengal and their faithful will cherish this glory for a variety of reasons: edging their city rivals Mohun Bagan, reviving the Maidan rivalry for the sake of nostalgia, and above all, lifting the title after 22 years. And they deserve every bit of it.
