Kolkata : East Bengal started their Indian Super League 2026 campaign with dominant 3-0 win over North East United FC at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.
Fresh face Youssef Ezzejjari was star of the match, scoring a brace (65′, 71′), guiding the hosts on the path to a comfortable win.
Miguel Ferreira finished off in style, scoring the 3rd goal (90+2′) in the 2nd minute of injury time as North East United had no answer East Bengal’s upgraded attacking style.
In doing so, East Bengal also broke a jinx, having managed to win in their first match of an ISL season for the first time since 2020, their debut season.
The Red & Gold Brigade had a good spell of play towards the end of the first half, attacking with purpose, but the North East defence stopped them as the first half ended goalless.
North East had the better start to the 2nd half, with Jithin using his pace to make runs behind the East Bengal backline, but with very little output.
On the other end, Miguel Ferreira forced a save out of Gurmeet after Bipin Singh rolled in a well-timed cross into the path of the Brazilian.
Oscar Bruzon’s men finally broke the Highlanders’ defence in the 65th minute of the game. Jeakson found Bipin after a forward run, and the winger kept his calm to swing in a cross inside the box. Ezzejjari lost his marker to get to the end of the cross and headed the ball in for his first goal in the league.
The Spaniard made his debut memorable, scoring his 2nd within five minutes to take the game away from North East United. Substitute Edmund Lalrindika controlled the ball well under pressure after receiving it from Anwar Ali. With options in the middle of the box, his lobbed pass deflected off Miguel Zabaco and fell kindly to Ezzejjari, who finished past the goalkeeper with ease.
The Highlanders could have had their moment in the 84th minute as Thoi Singh’s cross from the right wing rattled the crossbar after East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill mistimed his jump while coming to collect the ball.
East Bengal scored their 3rd goal in injury time through Miguel Ferreira. Jay Gupta found Miguel with an excellent through ball as the latter made his way inside the box. The attacker beat the goalkeeper with an immaculate left-footed effort, which found the bottom corner to cap off a perfect start for the home side.
Brief Scorecard –
East Bengal : 3
North East United FC : 0.
