The 12th edition of the Indian Super League officially kicked off on 14th February, marking the start of ISL 2025/26 season in a single-legged round-robin format, and matchweek 1 delivered drama, dominance, debuts and history in equal measure. From champions asserting authority to debutants announcing their arrival, the opening week gave fans a clear glimpse of what lies ahead in Indian football’s top tier.
Mohun Bagan SG Lay Down the Marker in Kolkata
The season opener at Kolkata saw defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant stamp their authority with a commanding 2-0 win over Kerala Blasters FC. Jamie Maclaren opened the scoring before Tom Aldred sealed the result deep into injury time, underlining Mohun Bagan’s control from start to finish.
Maclaren etched his name into ISL history with a unique stat — scoring the last goal of ISL 2024/25 and the first goal of ISL 2025/26. The Mariners dominated possession, total shots and shots on target, showcasing tactical superiority and squad depth.
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Kerala Blasters FC, on the other hand, endured a worrying start. They failed to register a single shot on target, managing only three attempts in total, all in the second half and none in the opening 45 minutes. With a tough fixture next against Mumbai City FC on 22nd February, plenty of work awaits the Kerala side.
Inter Kashi Announce Their Arrival, FC Goa Escape Late
ISL debutants Inter Kashi FC were hosted by FC Goa at home and delivered a performance full of grit and intent. While FC Goa enjoyed the majority of ball possession, Inter Kashi looked dangerous on the counter throughout the match.
The breakthrough came in first-half injury time when Prasanth Karuthadathkuni produced a sublime chip over goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari, scoring Inter Kashi FC’s first-ever goal in ISL history — a landmark moment for the club.
The turning point arrived in the 80th minute as Inter Kashi goalkeeper Lluis Tarrés was sent off for a foul on Muhammed Nemil inside the box. Dejan Dražić calmly converted the penalty, rescuing a point for FC Goa. Antonio López Habas’ men showed remarkable temperament on debut but narrowly missed out on all three points, while FC Goa managed to avoid an opening-day defeat.
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Owen Coyle’s Return Brings Victory for Jamshedpur FC
At the Furnace, Jamshedpur FC welcomed Mohammedan SC, with Owen Coyle’s return starting on a winning note. A deflected strike from Madih Talal proved decisive in a 1-0 victory for the Red Miners.
Jamshedpur created multiple chances but failed to extend their lead, though the three points were secured nonetheless. Mohammedan SC, fielding an all-Indian squad, struggled in the first half and despite improving after the break, failed to register a single shot on target. Positively, they kept the scoreline respectable, showing defensive resilience despite the gap in experience and squad depth.
Chhetri Makes History as Bengaluru FC Shine
Sunday night football saw Bengaluru FC face newly rebranded SC Delhi (formerly Hyderabad FC) in a physical and competitive encounter. Sivasakthi Narayanan gave the Blues the lead before a moment of magic from Sunil Chhetri sealed the game.
Coming off the bench, Chhetri scored a stunning long-range effort, becoming the oldest goal-scorer in ISL history at 41 years and 196 days. SC Delhi, boasting a comparatively younger squad, showed promise and created opportunities but lacked cutting edge in the final third. Despite the 2-0 loss, there were positives for the debutants to build upon.
Age is just a number… when your name is 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐢! 🐐🔥
Every time he steps on the pitch, records don’t just break — they get rewritten. ✍️⚽#SunilChhetri #ISL #BFC #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/fzJaDAyuXs
— Foot Globe India (@footglobeindia) February 16, 2026
Odisha FC vs Punjab FC – Match Postponed
The fixture between Odisha FC and Punjab FC, scheduled for 16th February, was postponed due to uncertainty surrounding the home venue of Odisha FC. The match is expected to be rescheduled in the coming weeks, adding further congestion to the ISL calendar.
East Bengal FC Fire Their Way to the Summit
East Bengal FC hosted NorthEast United FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata. East Bengal dominated proceedings from the outset, controlling possession and repeatedly testing the NorthEast defence, though clear chances were initially hard to come by.
The second half transformed the game following the introduction of Edmund Lalrindika. The pace and movement of Edmund and Bipin stretched the opposition, with both players providing assists to Youssef Ezzejjari, who scored a brace on his club debut. Miguel Figueira added the finishing touch in injury time, sealing a convincing 3-0 win and sending East Bengal FC top of the ISL table.
NorthEast United FC endured a forgettable outing, managing just two shots in total and one on target, highlighting serious concerns in their attacking department.
Mumbai City Edge Past Chennaiyin in a Tight Contest
The matchweek concluded at the Mumbai Football Arena where Mumbai City FC edged past Chennaiyin FC with a 1-0 victory.
The decisive moment came early in the second half when a headed clearance from Pritam Kotal, following Joni Kauko’s cross, unfortunately ended up in his own net. Chennaiyin controlled possession for large periods and earned a staggering 15 of the match’s 20 corners, but failed to capitalize.
A physical battle saw five yellow cards as Chennaiyin pushed hard for an equaliser, but Mumbai’s defensive resilience ensured they walked away with all three points.
Early Narratives, Bigger Battles Ahead
ISL 2025/26 matchweek 1 offered a glimpse into what promises to be another thrilling season of Indian football — dominant champions, historic milestones, fearless debutants, and emerging storylines already taking shape. As teams settle into the new single-legged format, consistency, squad depth, and tactical adaptability will be key, with matchweek 2 set to further define contenders and challengers alike.
Matchweek 2 Fixtures
