Vinith’s stoppage-time strike earns Bengaluru a 1-1 draw with NorthEast in Guwahati
Bengaluru FC secured a 1-1 draw with NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Friday in an ISL 2026-27 fixture when substitute Vinith Venkatesh scored in the 93rd minute to cancel out an earlier goal by Jithin MS.
The match produced numerous chances for both sides as Bengaluru began on the front foot and NorthEast generated threats on the break; the contest remained tight through to the late equaliser. Both teams made multiple substitutions, including injury-enforced changes, and both goalkeepers were heavily involved throughout the game.
Bengaluru started brightly with Ashique Kuruniyan narrowly missing after a pass from Borja Martínez, and Ricky Meetei sent an effort over the bar following a Ryan Williams cross. NorthEast responded through Alaaeddine Ajaraie, whose long-range attempt was saved by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and the hosts then grew into the match before opening the scoring.
The breakthrough arrived in the 15th minute when González drove a fast break and set up Jithin MS, who finished with a left-footed shot into the bottom-left corner. After that opening goal, both sides created further chances but the Highlanders held a 1-0 lead into half-time as several efforts missed the target.
The second half saw both goalkeepers called into action early: Gurmeet Singh denied Borja from close range while Gurpreet kept out two attempts from Ethyan. Bengaluru suffered an injury when Shivaldo Singh was forced off and Sandro Embalo replaced him, and NorthEast later made changes with Parthib Gogoi replacing Jithin and Redeem Tlang coming on for Macarton Nickson.
Bengaluru introduced Sunil Chhetri and Suresh Wangjam as they chased an equaliser; Chhetri missed from inside the box after a Borja cross and Manuel Iriondo headed wide from a corner. NorthEast continued to threaten with Ethyan seeing an effort blocked after an Ajaraie pass and Abdul Rabeeh having a shot blocked from outside the box; Ajaraie also sent a late free-kick over the bar.
In stoppage time, with five minutes added, Vinith first missed from the centre of the box after a set-up by Monirul Molla but then capitalised on a spilled save after Gurmeet clashed with Eneko Satrustegui. Sunil Chhetri picked out Vinith inside the box and Vinith finished into the bottom-left corner in the 90+3rd minute to level the score at 1-1.
The draw was NorthEast United’s second of the ISL 2026-27 season and left them top of the table with 8 points from 4 games; it was Bengaluru FC’s first draw of the campaign, moving them to second place with 7 points.
