East Bengal win ISL title after 22 years

East Bengal won the 2025-26 Indian Super League title on May 21 with a 2-1 comeback victory over Inter Kashi in Kolkata, ending a 22-year wait for a national top-flight league crown. Mohammed Rashid scored the winner after Youssef Ezzejjari cancelled out Alfred Planas’s opener for Inter Kashi, according to match reports from Sportstar and other Indian outlets. The result completed a title race that ran to the final day and involved multiple contenders. It also came one day after the All India Football Federation’s club licensing decisions added a separate layer of uncertainty across the league. ### How did East Bengal actually win the title on the night? Inter Kashi led in the first half at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan after Alfred Planas scored in the 14th or 15th minute, depending on match reports, before East Bengal turned the game after the break. Youssef Ezzejjari equalised in the 49th minute and Mohammed Rashid struck in the 72nd minute to give East Bengal the win. (sportstar.thehindu.com) Sportstar’s live report said the 2-1 result confirmed East Bengal as ISL champions on the final day. Times of India and Olympics.com both described the title as East Bengal’s first top-tier league crown in 22 years. ### Why is the 22-year number so significant? (timesnownews.com) East Bengal’s last national league title came 22 years ago, making this their first top-division league championship since that earlier era of Indian football, according to Times of India and Olympics.com. Several reports also described the 2025-26 triumph as the club’s first Indian Super League title. (sportstar.thehindu.com) The final-day context added to the weight of the result. Times Now and NDTV reported that five teams were still in contention before kickoff, with East Bengal ultimately finishing ahead of rivals including Mohun Bagan after both Kolkata clubs won their last matches. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) ### Who were the decisive players in the comeback? Mohammed Rashid delivered the decisive goal in the 72nd minute, the moment most reports identified as the title-clinching strike. Youssef Ezzejjari’s equaliser early in the second half reset the match after Inter Kashi’s strong start. (timesnownews.com) Oscar Bruzon was identified by Olympics.com as the East Bengal coach whose side recovered after falling behind. Inter Kashi’s early lead had briefly put the title picture in doubt before East Bengal regained control. ### What does the AIFF licensing decision have to do with this story? The AIFF’s club licensing body granted Premier 1 licences with sanctions to seven ISL clubs for the 2026-27 season, while rejecting applications from several others, including Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Kerala Blasters FC and Odisha FC, according to Firstpost, Rediff and Sentinel Assam. (timesnownews.com) East Bengal was among the clubs granted a licence with sanctions. (olympics.com) India Today reported that clubs denied the licence were temporarily ineligible for national and Asian competitions unless they secured clearance in time. That means the league’s title celebrations are unfolding alongside compliance and eligibility questions for next season. ### What comes next for East Bengal and the league? (rediff.com) The next formal milestone is the 2026-27 AIFF Premier 1 licensing process and any follow-up clearance for clubs that were denied approval on May 20. East Bengal, one of the seven clubs granted a licence with sanctions, will now move from a title-winning final day into that regulatory process, while Mohun Bagan, Kerala Blasters and Odisha seek to resolve their status for national and AFC competitions. (indiatoday.in) (firstpost.com)