Chennaiyin FC down defending champions East Bengal 5-3 in eight-goal ISL thriller

Chennaiyin FC defeated defending champions East Bengal FC 5-3 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday in an Indian Super League 2026–27 fixture, earning their first victory of the season. The game produced eight goals and saw several rapid swings in momentum across both halves.

Chennaiyin surged ahead early when Brison Fernandes opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a right-footed finish, supplied by Irfan Yadwad. Fernandes added a second in the 18th minute with another right-footed strike that beat Prabhsukhan Gill, giving the hosts a 2-0 lead. East Bengal pulled one back in the 29th minute through Aké Loba’s right-footed effort. Ramon Tanque then converted a penalty in the 41st minute to extend Chennaiyin’s advantage to 3-1 at half-time.

The visitors reduced the arrears early in the second half after a handball by Muhammed Saheef led to a spot-kick, with Dani Ramírez converting from the penalty spot in the 47th minute. Chennaiyin regained a two-goal cushion just before the hour when Irfan Yadwad scored to make it 4-2. Yadwad completed his brace in the 67th minute, finishing from a Tanque setup to push the score to 5-2.

East Bengal continued to press and earned a late consolation when David Lalhlansanga struck in stoppage time, assisted by Hardik Bhatt, but Chennaiyin held on for the 5-3 win. The victory delivered Chennaiyin their first three points of the MG Indian Super League 2026-27 campaign. The result also handed East Bengal their first league defeat of the season; prior to this fixture they had conceded only one goal in their MG ISL campaign.

Chennaiyin will look to build on their attacking momentum as they continue their campaign, while East Bengal and head coach Antonio Lopez Habas will aim to regroup following the defeat.