After 22 years of heartbreak, false dawns and painful near-misses, East Bengal FC finally have their moment again. The Kolkata giants lifted their maiden Indian Super League title on Wednesday night after defeating Inter Kashi FC 2-1 in a dramatic final-day clash, ending a drought that had stretched across generations of supporters.
For East Bengal fans, it was more than just another trophy. It was the end of a 22-year wait for a major national title, a period filled with administrative chaos, financial uncertainty and repeated heartbreak on the pitch.
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And perhaps what made the triumph even sweeter was the fact that the title race ended ahead of their fiercest rivals, Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
A final day filled with chaos and emotion
The ISL title race headed into the final round with four teams still mathematically alive, but all eyes remained fixed on the two Kolkata giants.
East Bengal entered the night at the top of the table, narrowly ahead of defending champions Mohun Bagan. Mumbai City FC and Punjab FC were still chasing from behind, while Jamshedpur FC remained outsiders with only a slim mathematical chance. But the night began in the worst possible way for East Bengal.
Inside a tense Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Inter Kashi stunned the home crowd within the opening 10 minutes when Alfred Planas produced a sensational volley to put the visitors ahead. The goal immediately brought back painful memories for East Bengal supporters, years when league titles slipped away despite coming agonisingly close.
The anxiety inside the stadium only grew as news filtered in from the Mohun Bagan match simultaneously being played elsewhere in Kolkata. But unlike previous seasons, East Bengal found a way back. In the 49th minute, striker Youssef Ezzejjari restored parity with a crucial equaliser that reignited belief inside the stadium. Then came the moment that changed the title race entirely.
While East Bengal pushed forward, Mohun Bagan’s title defence suddenly began collapsing after Sporting Club Delhi took the lead in their match through Clarance Fernandes in the 62nd minute.
As word spread through the stands, the atmosphere inside Kishore Bharati transformed from nervous tension into belief. Soon after, Palestinian midfielder Mohammed Rashid delivered the decisive goal that completed East Bengal’s comeback and effectively sealed the championship.
From survival battles to champions
The victory marked one of the most emotional nights in recent Indian football history.
For years, East Bengal supporters had watched rivals celebrate trophies while their own club battled instability on and off the field. There were seasons when the club struggled financially, seasons filled with managerial turmoil and campaigns where survival itself became uncertain.
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The ISL era, in particular, had repeatedly frustrated East Bengal supporters, with inconsistent performances and disappointing finishes deepening the sense of decline around one of India’s most historic clubs. That is what made Wednesday night feel different.
The post-match celebrations were the product of several years’ worth of pent-up emotions as the fans celebrated within and outside the stadium. Red and gold flags adorned the streets of Kolkata while cheers continued even after the game was over.
For Mohun Bagan, however, the evening concluded on a sad note. As defending champions, the club headed into the final round hoping to clinch their title but disappointed their fans by failing under pressure as East Bengal emerged victorious in one of the most thrilling leagues of recent memory.
