East Bengal Win Indian Super League Title for First Time, Ending 22-Year Wait
The East Bengal have finally ended one of the Indian Football’s lonest title after they defeated the Inter Kashi in the Indian Super League 2026. East Bengal have lifted the first ever trophy of ISL and ended a 22 year title drought in the top tier domestic football.
The historic moment came at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, where East Bengal FC has completed a memorable comeback victory.
Inter Kashi shocked the home crowd early when the Alfred scored in the 15th minute and put the East Bengal under pressure in the title decider.
East Bengal has equalised in the 50th minute through star striker Youssef Ezzejjari, who stepped up when it mattered most for his team.
The decisive winning goal came in the 73rd minute, which was scored by Mohammed Rashid, and sealed one of the club’s most important victories in modern history.
This ISL trophy is not just another trophy as East Bengal has won last trophy in India’s top-tier domestic football league during the 2003-04 National Football League season under legendary coach Subhash Bhowmick.
Since then, fans have endured the years of near misses, disappointment and fierce rivalry battles.
That long period of drought has now officially ended.
As India’s one of the most decorated football institutions, this title carries the emotional significance far beyond points and standings.
The title battle has been remained open until the final whistle.
As heading into the decisive round, East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Mumbai City FC, Punjab FC, and Bengaluru FC were all mathematically in the contention.
East Bengal has entered the final match level on 23 points with arch-rivals Mohun Bagan, but held the advantage due to a stronger goal difference with the,
Mohun Bagan kept the pressure alive by defeating Sporting Club Delhi 2-1.
Meanwhile the,
But East Bengal held their nerve in the crucial time of the game.
The title celebrations became even bigger for the East Bengal because striker Youssef Ezzejjari finished as the league’s top scorer.
He scored the 11 goals in the 13 matches.
That performance has earned him the Golden Boot award.
He was born in Spain and previously representing Morocco at youth level, Ezzejjari played the defining role in East Bengal’s championship campaign.
| Year | Winner Team | Runners-up Team |
| 2026 | East Bengal FC | Mohun Bagan Super Giant |
| 2024-25 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | Bengaluru FC |
| 2023-24 | Mumbai City FC | Mohun Bagan Super Giant |
| 2022-23 | ATK Mohun Bagan | Bengaluru FC |
| 2021-22 | Hyderabad FC | Kerala Blasters FC |
| 2020-21 | Mumbai City FC | ATK Mohun Bagan |
| 2019-20 | ATK | Chennaiyin FC |
| 2018-19 | Bengaluru FC | FC Goa |
| 2017-18 | Chennaiyin FC | Bengaluru FC |
| 2016 | ATK | Kerala Blasters |
| 2015 | Chennaiyin FC | FC Goa |
| 2014 | ATK | Kerala Blasters FC |
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