East Bengal FC made a commanding start to their Indian Super League 2025–26 home campaign, defeating NorthEast United FC 3-0 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
A quick-fire double from Youssef Ezzejjari midway through the second half, followed by an injury-time strike from Miguel Ferreira, ensured the Red and Gold Brigade secured all three points in convincing fashion.
Head coach Óscar Bruzón opted for a solid defensive pairing of Jeakson Singh and Anwar Ali at the heart of the backline, with Lalchungnunga deployed at right-back and Jay Gupta on the opposite flank. For NorthEast United, Juan Pedro Benali entrusted youngster Parthib Gogoi to spearhead the attack, supported by the pace of Jithin M.S. and the experience of Jairo Samperio.
East Bengal began with intensity, pressing high and forcing NorthEast into hurried passes in midfield. Their wing-backs pushed aggressively into advanced areas, offering width and stretching the visitors’ defensive shape. Despite territorial dominance and sustained possession, clear-cut chances proved elusive in the opening exchanges. NorthEast, meanwhile, sought to exploit space behind East Bengal’s high defensive line through Jithin’s pace and Parthib’s movement, but the final pass lacked precision.
The hosts came closest before the interval following a dangerous spell after the water break. Miguel Zabaco nearly turned Bipin Singh’s low cross into his own net, and from the ensuing corner, Mohamad Rashid’s first-time effort from the edge of the area crashed against the crossbar. Ferreira reacted quickest to the rebound, only to be denied by Gurmeet Singh in goal. East Bengal ended the first half with momentum, but NorthEast’s defensive discipline ensured the sides went into the break level.
Photo: Dipayan Bose /Focus Sports/ ISL
The visitors emerged with renewed intent after halftime. Jithin continued to test the East Bengal backline with direct runs, yet the final execution remained lacking. At the other end, Ferreira forced a sharp save from Gurmeet after being picked out by Bipin’s well-timed delivery into the box.
The breakthrough arrived in the 65th minute and altered the complexion of the contest. Jeakson initiated the move with a forward surge before releasing Bipin on the flank. The winger delivered a measured cross into the area, where Ezzejjari, timing his movement perfectly, rose to guide a header beyond Gurmeet. It was a debut goal that reflected intelligent positioning and composure.
Five minutes later, Ezzejjari struck again. Substitute Edmund Lalrindika controlled Anwar Ali’s pass under pressure and lofted a ball into the penalty area. A deflection off Zabaco caused confusion in the NorthEast defence, and the Spaniard reacted quickest, finishing clinically to double the advantage and effectively put the game beyond the visitors.
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NorthEast briefly threatened to respond. Between the two East Bengal goals, they registered their first shot on target, and later came close when Thoi Singh’s cross struck the crossbar after goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill mistimed his attempt to claim the ball. It was a rare moment of uncertainty in an otherwise assured defensive display from the hosts.
With fresh legs introduced in the latter stages, East Bengal maintained control. P.V. Vishnu’s energy on the left flank added another dimension to the attack, while the midfield managed possession smartly to deny NorthEast any sustained pressure.
The result was sealed in stoppage time. Jay Gupta’s incisive through ball split the NorthEast defence, finding Ferreira in stride. The Brazilian advanced into the box and produced a composed left-footed finish into the bottom corner, adding gloss to a dominant performance.
Ezzejjari, whose brace proved decisive, was rightly named Player of the Match. His movement and finishing provided the cutting edge that East Bengal had lacked in the first half, and his clinical intervention underlined the value of decisive moments in tightly contested fixtures.
For East Bengal, the victory represents not only three points but a statement of intent at the start of the season. After a disciplined opening half and a clinical second-half surge, they demonstrated both structural balance and attacking efficiency. NorthEast United, though competitive in phases, were ultimately undone by lapses in concentration and a lack of sharpness in the final third.
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The Red and Gold Brigade now move forward with confidence, having translated dominance into goals and delivered a performance that will energise their supporters at the VYBK.
