NorthEast United FC earned their first point of the Indian Super League 2025-26 season with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Substitute Lalrinzuala came on in the 64th minute and made an immediate impact, equalizing in the 68th minute with a composed right-footed finish over Gurpreet Singh Sandhu after Braian Sánchez had given the Blues a 20th-minute lead. The Highlanders matched Bengaluru in possession and attempts throughout an entertaining contest that saw both teams hit the woodwork, with Ryan Williams striking the bar in the 87th minute. Lalrinzuala was named Player of the Match for his crucial contribution.
Table of Contents
Match Summary
NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali made one change, bringing in Robin Yadav in defence for Redeem Tlang as they lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Bengaluru FC head coach Renedy Singh also made a defensive change, introducing Takhellambam Bungson Singh for Rahul Bheke. The match began at a fast pace with Parthib Gogoi testing Sandhu inside the opening minute, followed by Jithin Madathil Subran’s blocked effort and Andy Rodríguez’s teasing corner that Míchel Zabaco headed against the woodwork. Despite NorthEast United’s early pressure, Ashique Kuruniyan released Sánchez on the left who cut inside and drilled a right-footed shot into the bottom corner from outside the box.
The Highlanders continued to press with Jithin forcing a sharp save from Sandhu, while Jairo Samperio and Macarton Nickson saw efforts blocked. Just before the interval, Andy’s free-kick delivery struck the woodwork again following a deflection. After the break, Zabaco headed wide and Sandhu produced saves to deny Asheer Akhtar and Jairo before Lalrinzuala’s 68th-minute equalizer. Both sides pushed for a winner with Sunil Chhetri firing wide, while Williams struck the bar in the 87th minute with Lalremtluanga Fanai’s rebound blocked, but neither could find the decisive goal.
Match Scorecard
| Team | Score | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru FC | 1 | Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru | February 22, 2026 |
| NorthEast United FC | 1 | — | ISL 2025-26, Match 11 |
Goals: Braian Sánchez 20′ (Bengaluru FC), Lalrinzuala 68′ (NorthEast United FC) Player of the Match: Lalrinzuala (NorthEast United FC) Bengaluru head coach: Renedy Singh NorthEast United head coach: Juan Pedro Benali NorthEast United milestone: First point of ISL 2025-26 season
First Half: Sánchez Strikes Despite NorthEast Pressure
Early NorthEast Pressure — Woodwork Hit
The match began at a fast pace. NorthEast United’s Parthib Gogoi tested Gurpreet Singh Sandhu inside the opening minute, and Jithin Madathil Subran followed with a blocked effort.
Andy Rodríguez then delivered a teasing corner that Míchel Zabaco headed against the woodwork. The Highlanders were pressing high and creating opportunities early.
Sánchez Opens Scoring — 20th Minute
Despite NorthEast United’s early pressure, it was Bengaluru who struck first. Ashique Kuruniyan released Braian Sánchez on the left. The Argentine cut inside and drilled a right-footed shot into the bottom corner from outside the box to give the Blues the lead.
Sustained NorthEast Response
NorthEast United continued to press. Jithin forced a sharp save from Sandhu, while Jairo Samperio and Macarton Nickson saw efforts blocked.
Just before the interval, Andy Rodríguez’s free-kick delivery struck the woodwork again following a deflection, with Robin Yadav unable to apply the finishing touch. The Highlanders went into half-time trailing 0-1 despite matching the hosts in possession and attempts.
Second Half: Lalrinzuala Makes Immediate Impact
Sandhu’s Key Saves
The Highlanders resumed strongly after the break. Zabaco headed wide, and Sandhu produced a fine diving save at the hour mark to deny Asheer Akhtar. Moments later, he stood tall again to keep out Jairo Samperio’s effort.
Lalrinzuala Introduced — 64th Minute
Juan Pedro Benali introduced Lalrinzuala in the 64th minute, and the substitute made an immediate impact.
The Equalizer — 68th Minute
In the 68th minute, Lalrinzuala controlled a long ball from Asheer Akhtar inside the area and lifted a right-footed finish over Sandhu into the top corner to level the score at 1-1. It was a composed finish that showed great awareness and technique.
Late Drama — Both Sides Push for Winner
Both sides pushed for a winner. Sunil Chhetri fired wide, while Ashique Kuruniyan and Nikhil Poojary went close from set-pieces. Jithin tested Sandhu again late on.
At the other end, Ryan Williams struck the bar in the 87th minute, and Lalremtluanga Fanai’s rebound was blocked. Neither side could find the decisive goal, and the entertaining contest ended in a draw at the Kanteerava.
Match-Winning Performance: Lalrinzuala — Player of the Match
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Substitution | Introduced in 64th minute |
| Goal | 68th minute equalizer |
| Technique | Controlled long ball from Asheer; lifted right-footed finish over Sandhu into top corner |
| Impact | Immediate — scored within 4 minutes of coming on |
| Composure | Showed great awareness and technique to beat experienced keeper |
| Award | Player of the Match |
Key Performances
Bengaluru FC
| Player | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Braian Sánchez | 20th-minute opener; cut inside from left, drilled right-footer into bottom corner from outside box |
| Gurpreet Singh Sandhu | Sharp save from Jithin (first half); fine diving save from Asheer (60 min); stood tall vs Jairo; late save from Jithin |
| Ashique Kuruniyan | Assisted Sánchez goal; close from set-piece late on |
| Ryan Williams | Struck bar 87th minute |
| Sunil Chhetri | Fired wide in search of winner |
| Nikhil Poojary | Close from set-piece |
| Takhellambam Bungson Singh | Brought in for Rahul Bheke (defensive change) |
NorthEast United FC
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Lalrinzuala | 68th-minute equalizer (Player of Match); composed finish over Sandhu |
| Asheer Akhtar | Long ball for Lalrinzuala goal; effort saved by Sandhu (60 min) |
| Parthib Gogoi | Tested Sandhu inside opening minute |
| Jithin Madathil Subran | Blocked effort early; forced sharp save from Sandhu (first half); tested Sandhu late on |
| Andy Rodríguez | Teasing corner (Zabaco hit woodwork); free-kick delivery hit woodwork before interval (deflection) |
| Míchel Zabaco | Header against woodwork (early); headed wide after break |
| Jairo Samperio | Effort blocked (first half); effort saved by Sandhu (second half) |
| Macarton Nickson | Effort blocked |
| Robin Yadav | Brought in for Redeem Tlang; unable to apply finish before interval (woodwork) |
| Lalremtluanga Fanai | Rebound blocked after Williams hit bar (87′) |
Key Statistics
NorthEast United FC
| Stat | Performance |
|---|---|
| Points earned | 1 (first of ISL 2025-26 season) |
| Goal | Lalrinzuala 68′ (composed finish over Sandhu) |
| Woodwork hit | Twice (Zabaco header from Andy corner; Andy free-kick deflection) |
| Key saves faced | Multiple from Sandhu (Jithin, Asheer, Jairo) |
| Possession | Matched Bengaluru |
| Attempts | Matched Bengaluru |
Bengaluru FC
| Stat | Performance |
|---|---|
| Goal | Sánchez 20′ (cut inside, drilled right-footer from outside box) |
| Woodwork hit | Once (Williams bar 87′) |
| Key saves | Sandhu (sharp save Jithin; diving save Asheer 60′; vs Jairo; late vs Jithin) |
| Home draw | Dropped points at Sree Kanteerava Stadium |
Read More: ISL 2025-26: Vincy Barretto’s Lone Strike Help Jamshedpur FC Edge Punjab FC 1-0
FAQs
What was the final score of Bengaluru FC vs NorthEast United FC?
The match ended 1-1 with Braian Sánchez scoring for Bengaluru in the 20th minute and Lalrinzuala equalizing for NorthEast United in the 68th minute at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
Who was named Player of the Match?
Lalrinzuala was awarded Player of the Match for his composed 68th-minute equalizer just four minutes after coming on as a substitute in the 64th minute.
How did Lalrinzuala score the equalizer?
Lalrinzuala controlled a long ball from Asheer Akhtar inside the area and lifted a right-footed finish over Gurpreet Singh Sandhu into the top corner in the 68th minute.
Was this NorthEast United’s first point of the season?
Yes. NorthEast United earned their first point of the ISL 2025-26 season with this 1-1 draw against Bengaluru FC.
How many times did teams hit the woodwork?
NorthEast United hit the woodwork twice (Zabaco header from Andy corner, Andy free-kick deflection before interval), while Bengaluru’s Ryan Williams struck the bar in the 87th minute.
