ISL 2026: 10-Men East Bengal Hold Bengaluru FC To A 3-3 Draw At The Salt Lake Stadium

East Bengal FC held Bengaluru FC 3-3 in a dramatic Indian Super League 2025-26 clash at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Thursday, April 16, 2026. The hosts came from behind three times, played with ten men, and earned a crucial point.

Both teams now have 15 points. East Bengal sit third on goal difference from eight matches. Bengaluru FC are fourth, having played nine games. Midfielder Saúl Crespo took the Player of the Match award after a key goal and a strong display in the centre.

East Bengal started on the front foot in Kolkata. Bipin Singh tested the Bengaluru defence early with sharp runs. The visitors replied with quick breaks through midfield. The brisk tempo and open spaces hinted at chances for both attacks from the opening minutes.

Bengaluru scored first in the 12th minute. Sirojiddin Kuziev found Ashique Kuruniyan on the left. The winger cut inside, created room, and hit a right-footed shot from distance. The effort flew into the top corner, giving goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill no chance.

East Bengal equalised nine minutes later from a set piece. Miguel Ferreira swung in a corner from the right side. Kevin Sibille’s header dropped inside the six-yard box. Anwar Ali reacted fastest and hit an overhead kick past the keeper, making it 1-1.

The match changed in the 24th minute. East Bengal’s Miguel Ferreira received a straight red card after an altercation near the dugout. The hosts were down to ten men. The tension on the pitch rose, with firm tackles and protests from both benches.

Bengaluru used the extra player before half-time. In the 40th minute, Ryan Williams drove a low cross from the right. Gill failed to collect cleanly. Suresh Singh Wangjam reacted quickly and finished from close range. The visitors led 2-1 at the break.

Bengaluru controlled the ball after the restart. Gill denied Kuziev and Rahul Bheke with important saves. East Bengal stayed compact and looked for counters. In the 56th minute, a failed clearance fell to Saúl Crespo outside the box. He drilled a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

The Blues struck again in the 72nd minute. Substitute Soham Varshneya slipped a through ball to Ryan Williams. The forward timed his run, rounded the advancing Gill, and finished from a tight angle. Bengaluru led 3-2 and tried to slow the tempo and manage the ball.

East Bengal still pressed with ten men. Their backline blocked several late Bengaluru attempts. Deep into stoppage time, in the 96th minute, the hosts found another response. A neat move created space for substitute Anton Søjberg, who scored with a left-footed shot for 3-3.

The final whistle confirmed a shared result after an intense contest. East Bengal’s late goal protected their strong position in the table. Bengaluru FC gained a point but will regret missed chances and the inability to hold three separate leads in Kolkata.