By Abhijit Ray | Kolkata | May 21, 2026
Some trophies are won in 90 minutes. Others take a generation.
On Wednesday night at Kishore Bharati Krirangan, East Bengal FC reclaimed both. With a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Inter Kashi, the Red and Gold brigade secured their first Indian Super League title, ending a 22-year wait for a top-tier national crown.
The evening began painfully for East Bengal supporters. Alfred Planas gave Inter Kashi the lead in the 15th minute, reviving memories of heartbreak and six lost finals. For a club steeped in history, disappointment had become an all-too-familiar companion.
But legacy does not forget how to fight.
Golden Boot winner Youssef Ezzejjari ignited hope with a crucial equalizer, striking for every supporter who had spent years chanting “East Bengal” through seasons of despair. Then came the defining moment. In the 78th minute, Mohammed Rashid found space, found composure, and found history. His winner sealed a stunning comeback as the iconic Moshāl roared back to life.
This was more than a football match. It was the culmination of a century-long journey.
Founded in 1920 out of rejection and resilience, East Bengal built its legacy through famous victories over British regiments, Chinese sides, and Iranian champions. Few Indian clubs possess a history so deeply woven into the identity of Indian football. Defiance and pride have always lived in every red-and-gold thread.
Yet for 22 long years, that thread carried no national title. An entire generation grew up hearing stories of the club’s 2004 triumph without witnessing another moment like it — until now.
Under head coach Oscar Bruzon, East Bengal finished the season with 26 points from 13 matches, level with Mohun Bagan Super Giant but ahead on goal difference. Football’s narrowest margin delivered one of the club’s greatest joys.
Amid emotional scenes after the final whistle, Bruzon stood drenched in celebration, struggling to hold back tears.
“We play for the men who defeated foreign clubs when India had nothing else,” he said. “This belongs to the fans who buried fathers and still brought sons to the gallery. For the 22 years — the Moshāl burns again.”
Kolkata refused to sleep.
Conch shells echoed from Salt Lake to Shyambazar. Elderly supporters in faded jerseys lifted grandchildren onto their shoulders — children who will never truly understand the weight of the wait.
East Bengal did not merely win the ISL title. They connected 1920 to 2026, honoring a glorious legacy while finally delivering a domestic crown worthy of it.
