East Bengal FC defeated Sporting Club Delhi 4-1 in Gameweek 2 of the Indian Super League 2025-26 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday, February 21, 2026. After Augustine Lalrochana’s fourth-minute opener, Edmund Lalrindika equalized three minutes later before Youssef Ezzejjari’s brace (12′ penalty, 40′) and Miguel Figueira’s stoppage-time strike completed the comeback. The victory moved East Bengal to the top of the table with six points from two matches.
Table of Contents
Match Summary
East Bengal FC head coach Óscar Bruzón made one change to his starting XI, bringing in Edmund Lalrindika for Saúl Crespo. SC Delhi head coach Tomasz Tchórz also made one change, introducing Joseph Sunny in place of Devendra Dhaku. The contest began at a frantic pace, with Miguel Figueira testing Vishal Yadav inside the opening minute and Jay Gupta firing over soon after.
However, it was SC Delhi who struck first when Mohammed Aimen led a swift break and found Lalrochana, who finished clinically from inside the box. East Bengal responded immediately as Edmund Lalrindika leveled the proceedings with a powerful volley from outside the box as SC Delhi were attempting to clear an East Bengal set-piece. Moments later, Clarence Fernandes conceded a penalty and Ezzejjari stepped up to calmly convert, putting the hosts ahead 2-1.
Despite their lead, the Red and Golds kept piling on the pressure. Gupta went close with a header, while Ezzejjari was denied by Yadav from close range. Five minutes before half-time, Miguel Figueira threaded a precise through ball for Ezzejjari, who slipped it through the goalkeeper’s legs to make it 3-1. SC Delhi attempted a response after the break, with both Matija Babović and Joseph Sunny going close, but East Bengal managed the tempo in the closing stages before Figueira sealed the victory with a stoppage-time strike.
Match Scorecard
| Team | Score | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Bengal FC | 4 | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK), Kolkata | February 21, 2026 |
| SC Delhi | 1 | — | ISL 2025-26, Gameweek 2 |
Goals: Edmund Lalrindika 7′, Youssef Ezzejjari 12′ (pen), 40′, Miguel Figueira 90+5′ SC Delhi goal: Augustine Lalrochana 4′ Player of the Match: Youssef Ezzejjari East Bengal head coach: Óscar Bruzón SC Delhi head coach: Tomasz Tchórz East Bengal position: Top of table (6 points from 2 matches) SC Delhi position: 0 points from 2 matches
First Half: East Bengal’s Clinical Response to Early Shock
Lalrochana Stuns Home Crowd — Fourth-Minute Opener
The visitors stunned the home crowd in just the fourth minute when Mohammed Aimen led a swift counterattack and found Augustine Lalrochana, who finished clinically from inside the box. SC Delhi had taken the early lead against the run of play.
The contest had begun at a frantic pace. Miguel Figueira tested Vishal Yadav inside the opening minute, and Jay Gupta fired over soon after, but it was SC Delhi who struck first with their swift break.
Immediate Equalizer — Lalrindika’s Powerful Volley
East Bengal’s response was immediate. Three minutes later, Edmund Lalrindika unleashed a powerful volley from outside the box to restore parity as SC Delhi were attempting to clear an East Bengal set-piece. The equalizer shifted momentum firmly in favor of the hosts, who continued to pile on the pressure.
Ezzejjari Penalty — Red and Golds Take Lead
Their attacking intent paid off again in the 12th minute. Clarence Fernandes conceded a penalty, and Ezzejjari stepped up and calmly converted from the penalty spot, sending the custodian the wrong way to make it 2-1. The hosts were now ahead after overturning the early deficit.
Building Pressure — Chances Continue
Despite their lead, the Red and Golds kept piling on the pressure. Jay Gupta went close with a header, while Ezzejjari was denied by Vishal Yadav from close range. East Bengal were dominating possession and creating multiple opportunities.
Ezzejjari’s Second — Smart Finish Through Keeper’s Legs
Five minutes before half-time, Miguel Figueira threaded a precise through ball for Ezzejjari, who showed composure to slip it through the goalkeeper’s legs and make it 3-1. It was a perfectly timed pass and a smart finish that gave East Bengal a commanding two-goal cushion heading into the break.
Second Half: Managing the Tempo and Sealing Victory
SC Delhi’s Response Attempt
Sporting Club Delhi tried to fight back in the second half, creating a few promising openings. Both Matija Babović and Joseph Sunny went close for the visitors. Joseph’s header was saved by East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill, who was called into action to preserve the lead.
Manoj Mohammad created openings from the left for Delhi, but the finishing touch eluded the forwards. While their counterattacks showed promise, lapses at the back and missed chances proved costly.
East Bengal’s Control
The midfield, orchestrated by Miguel Figueira, ensured control after the initial setback. East Bengal continued to create chances in the second half, managing the tempo effectively. The backline had to stay alert against quick transitions, with Gill making key saves when required.
Figueira’s Stoppage-Time Stunner
East Bengal sealed the win in stoppage time when Miguel Figueira curled a superb left-footed strike into the top corner to make it 4-1. It was a spectacular finish that capped his performance, having already provided the assist for Ezzejjari’s second goal with his perfectly timed through ball.
Match-Winning Performance: Youssef Ezzejjari
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Goals | 2 (12′ penalty, 40′ through keeper’s legs) |
| Player of the Match | Awarded for clinical brace |
| Penalty | Calmly converted after Fernandes foul, sent keeper wrong way (12′) |
| Second goal | Smart finish from Figueira’s through ball, slipped through keeper’s legs (40′) |
| Other chances | Denied by Yadav from close range before second goal |
| Impact | Led the charge in comeback; clinical finishing |
Key Performances
Edmund Lalrindika
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Goal | 7th minute powerful volley from distance |
| Impact | Immediate equalizer after Lalrochana’s shock opener |
| Context | Restored parity as SC Delhi cleared set-piece |
| Starting XI | Brought in for Saúl Crespo |
Miguel Figueira
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Goal | 90+5′ curled left-footed strike into top corner |
| Assist | Perfectly timed through ball for Ezzejjari’s second (40′) |
| Midfield control | Orchestrated tempo after initial setback |
| Early chance | Tested Vishal Yadav inside opening minute |
| Impact | Capped performance with spectacular stoppage-time finish |
Prabhsukhan Gill
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Key saves | Joseph Sunny header; preserved lead in second half |
| Impact | Called into action during SC Delhi’s response attempt |
Key Statistics
East Bengal FC
| Stat | Performance |
|---|---|
| Goals | 4 (Lalrindika 7′, Ezzejjari 12′ pen, 40′, Figueira 90+5′) |
| Points | 6 from 2 matches |
| Position | Top of table (provisional) |
| Win streak | Second consecutive victory |
| Attacking quality | 4 goals; multiple chances created |
| Response time | 3 minutes (Lalrindika equalizer after Lalrochana opener) |
| Key players | Ezzejjari (brace), Figueira (goal + assist), Lalrindika |
SC Delhi
| Stat | Performance |
|---|---|
| Goals | 1 (Lalrochana 4′) |
| Points | 0 from 2 matches |
| Early impact | Stunned crowd with fourth-minute opener |
| Second-half attempts | Babović, Joseph chances; lacked cutting edge |
| Issues | Defensive organization; final third finishing |
| Changes | Joseph Sunny in for Devendra Dhaku |
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FAQs
What was the final score of East Bengal FC vs SC Delhi?
East Bengal FC won 4-1 with goals from Edmund Lalrindika (7′), Youssef Ezzejjari (12′ pen, 40′) and Miguel Figueira (90+5′) at the VYBK in Kolkata.
Who was named Player of the Match?
Youssef Ezzejjari was awarded Player of the Match for his clinical brace, scoring from the penalty spot and with a smart finish through the goalkeeper’s legs.
Where does East Bengal stand in the ISL 2025-26 table?
East Bengal provisionally moved to the top of the table with six points from two matches after securing their second consecutive victory.
How did East Bengal respond to SC Delhi’s early goal?
East Bengal responded immediately with Edmund Lalrindika equalizing just three minutes after Augustine Lalrochana’s fourth-minute opener, then took control with three more goals.
What was Miguel Figueira’s contribution to the victory?
Figueira provided the assist for Ezzejjari’s second goal with a perfectly timed through ball and capped his performance with a superb stoppage-time curler into the top corner.
