Kerala Blasters FC staged a determined second-half comeback to register their first win of the Indian Super League 2025-26 season, defeating Bengaluru FC 2-1 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday.
After falling behind to an unfortunate own goal from Fallou Ndiaye, the visitors responded through Víctor Bertomeu before substitute Francisco Feuillassier delivered the decisive strike to secure all three points.
The result lifts Kerala Blasters to 13th in the standings with four points, while Bengaluru FC remain fifth with 14 points, missing an opportunity to consolidate their position in the top half.
Kerala Blasters began the contest with intent, showing early attacking urgency. Within the opening minutes, they created a promising chance when Fallou Ndiaye rose to meet a set-piece, but his header was comfortably collected by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Ebindas Y followed up with a long-range effort that drifted wide, underlining the visitors’ aggressive start.
Bengaluru gradually settled into the rhythm of the game and began to assert themselves, particularly through Ryan Williams on the right flank. His pace and delivery consistently troubled the Kerala defence. In the 23rd minute, Sunil Chhetri came close to opening the scoring, directing a header wide from a Nikhil Poojary cross. Moments later, Williams himself tested Arsh Shaikh with a powerful strike from inside the box.
The breakthrough arrived in the 28th minute, albeit in fortuitous circumstances. Williams once again surged down the flank and delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty area. As Chhetri moved in to attack the ball, Fallou Ndiaye attempted to intervene but inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, handing Bengaluru a 1-0 lead.
Photo: Prathiksha MK / ISL
The match took a dramatic turn just six minutes later when Bengaluru were reduced to ten men. Braian Sánchez was shown a straight red card for violent conduct following an off-the-ball incident with Matías Hernández. The dismissal shifted the tactical balance, forcing Bengaluru to reorganise defensively while offering Kerala Blasters a clear numerical advantage.
Despite being a man down, Bengaluru showed resilience in the remainder of the first half. Their defensive unit, led by Chinglensana Singh, remained compact and disciplined, restricting Kerala’s ability to create clear-cut chances. Kerala, meanwhile, attempted to utilise the extra space, with Kévin Yoke leading the attacking efforts, but lacked the final touch to break through before halftime.
The second half began with Bengaluru continuing to threaten on the counterattack. Ryan Williams remained a key outlet, coming close again in the 49th minute, while Ashique Kuruniyan forced a strong save from Arsh Shaikh. The hosts demonstrated that even with ten men, they retained the capacity to trouble the opposition.
However, Kerala Blasters gradually began to take control of possession and territory, using their numerical superiority to pin Bengaluru deeper into their own half. Their persistence paid off in the 60th minute when Ebindas Y delivered a well-weighted through ball to Víctor Bertomeu. The forward showed composure, guiding a precise finish into the bottom corner to level the score at 1-1.
The equaliser shifted momentum decisively in Kerala’s favour. With Bengaluru increasingly stretched, the visitors pushed forward in search of a winner. Their attacking play became more fluid, with Ebindas continuing to orchestrate moves from midfield.
The decisive moment arrived in the 79th minute, and it came from a player making an immediate impact. Substitute Francisco Feuillassier marked his debut with a well-taken goal, latching onto another incisive pass from Ebindas before weaving past his marker. From a tight angle, he produced a clinical finish through Gurpreet’s legs to give Kerala a 2-1 lead.
Bengaluru responded with urgency in the closing stages, committing players forward in search of an equaliser. Substitute Monirul Molla added fresh energy, while Williams continued to drive attacks down the flank. However, Kerala’s defence held firm under pressure.
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Arsh Shaikh played a crucial role in preserving the lead, producing an important save in stoppage time. Defender Bikash Yumnam also contributed with a vital clearance, ensuring that Bengaluru were unable to capitalise on their late push.
From a tactical standpoint, the match highlighted Kerala Blasters’ ability to adapt and exploit numerical advantage. Their patience in the second half, combined with effective use of width and incisive passing, proved decisive. Ebindas Y’s role in midfield was particularly influential, contributing directly to both goals.
For Bengaluru FC, the red card proved to be the turning point. Despite a disciplined defensive effort and moments of attacking threat, playing with ten men for over an hour eventually took its toll. The own goal and subsequent dismissal disrupted their structure, making it difficult to sustain their early momentum.
The victory provides a significant boost for Kerala Blasters, not just in terms of points but also confidence. After a challenging start to the season, this comeback win demonstrates their resilience and potential to compete more effectively in the coming fixtures.
For Bengaluru, the focus will shift to regrouping and addressing disciplinary and defensive lapses. While there were positives in their attacking play, particularly through Williams, maintaining consistency across the full duration of the match remains a key area for improvement.
In the end, it was Kerala Blasters’ persistence and clinical finishing that defined the contest, turning a deficit into a well-earned victory on the road.
