A dramatic late equaliser from Anton Sojberg helped East Bengal secure a hard-fought 3-3 draw against Bengaluru FC in a pulsating Indian Super League 2025-26 clash at the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday.
In what turned out to be one of the most entertaining matches of the season, both sides traded blows in a six-goal thriller filled with momentum swings and high drama.
Bengaluru FC drew first blood in the 12th minute through Ashique Kuruniyan, who produced a stunning strike from distance. The forward unleashed a powerful effort with his weaker foot, sending the ball crashing into the top corner to give the visitors an early advantage.
East Bengal responded quickly and emphatically. In the 21st minute, Anwar Ali brought the home crowd to life with a spectacular overhead kick, restoring parity in style and shifting the energy back in favour of the hosts.
However, the match took a fiery turn just minutes later. In the 24th minute, East Bengal were reduced to 10 men after Miguel Ferreira received a straight red card following an altercation with Kuruniyan. The situation escalated further as Ferreira kicked the ball toward the Bengaluru dugout while exiting, adding to the tension on the pitch.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, East Bengal continued to show resilience. Bengaluru, though, regained control just before half-time. In the 39th minute, Suresh Wangjam capitalised on a costly error by goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill, who fumbled a Ryan Williams cross, allowing Wangjam to tap in and restore the lead.
The second half maintained the same intensity. East Bengal once again found a way back in the 56th minute when Saul Crespo reacted quickly after his initial shot was blocked, firing home the rebound to level the scores.
Bengaluru responded in the 71st minute with another moment of brilliance, as Ryan Williams scored from a tight angle to seemingly put his side on course for victory.
But East Bengal refused to back down. Deep into stoppage time, substitute Anton Sojberg delivered the decisive moment, scoring in the 97th minute to salvage a dramatic draw and send the home fans into celebration.
The result leaves East Bengal in third place with 15 points from eight matches, while Bengaluru FC sit just behind with the same tally from nine games. Jamshedpur FC, also on 15 points, drop to fifth due to an inferior goal difference, tightening the race at the top of the table.
