Kolkata, February 16 – Goals from Youssef Ezzejari within six minutes of the second half, followed by a late goal from Miguel Ferreira, guided East Bengal FC to a 3-0 victory against NorthEast United FC in Match 6 of the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL), played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Monday.
Óscar Bruzón started with Jeakson Singh alongside Anwar Ali in the center of defense, with Lalchungnunga moved to the right-back position and Jay Gupta starting on the left flank. Juan Pedro Benali gave Parthib Gogoi the lead to spearhead the attack for NorthEast United, with Jithin M.S. and Jairo Samperio supporting the youngster.
East Bengal started strongly and put early pressure on the NorthEast defense, pressing them high up the pitch, which led to some misplaced passes in midfield. The wingbacks of East Bengal pushed up to provide support for Bipin Singh and Nandha Kumar on either wing.
The hosts, with all their possessions and energy, were unable to create genuine scoring chances to trouble Gurmeet in goal. On the other end, the Highlanders were trying to use the pace of Jithin and Parthib to break the hosts' high line of defense, but the midfield lacked the perfect ball.
After the half-time break, Miguel Zabaco almost scored an own goal while trying to intercept Bipin Singh's low cross. The resulting corner was partially cleared, and Mohamad Rashid took a shot from the edge of the box, which rattled the crossbar, and Miguel Ferreira's rebound attempt was saved by the goalkeeper. The Red & Gold Brigade had a good spell of play towards the end of the first half, attacking with purpose, but the NorthEast defense contained them as the first half ended goalless.
NorthEast had a better start to the second half, with Jithin again using his raw pace to make runs behind the East Bengal defense, but with very little output. On the other end, Miguel Ferreira forced a save from Gurmeet after Bipin Singh rolled in a well-timed cross into the path of the Brazilian.
The Red and Gold Brigade finally broke the Highlanders' defense in the 65th minute. Jeakson found Bipin after a forward run, and the winger kept his composure to swing in a cross inside the box. Ezzejjari lost his marker to get to the end of the cross and headed the ball inside the goal for his first goal in the league.
The Spaniard made his debut memorable, scoring his second within five minutes to take the game away from NorthEast 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.
Meanwhile, NorthEast, who had their first shot on target between the two East Bengal goals, were put under more pressure by the fresh legs of P.V. Vishnu, who was a constant threat down the left wing. 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 third 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.
Youssef Ezzejari was named the player of the match.
