The hosts looked in early trouble when Dani Ramirez gave Punjab the lead in the 13th minute. But Jamie Maclaren responded brilliantly before the half-hour mark, levelling the scores at 1-1 going into the break.

Read Bengali: কামিন্সের শেষ মুহূর্তের গোলে কামব্যাক, পাঞ্জাবকে হারাল বাগান

After the restart, Punjab struck again in the 60th minute through a stunning volley from Nsungusi Effiong, putting the visitors 2-1 ahead.

Just when it seemed Mohun Bagan were staring at defeat, substitute Sahal Abdul Samad produced pure magic in the 74th minute. From nearly 30 yards out, he unleashed a rocket that looped over the defence and dipped into the net — a genuine goal-of-the-season contender that made it 2-2.

The drama wasn’t over. Deep into stoppage time (90+1′), Jason Cummings stepped up for a free-kick and delivered a superb set-piece that sailed past everyone and found the back of the net, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans.

It was a classic comeback win built on resilience and quality finishing when it mattered most. Mohun Bagan showed real fight and character in front of their passionate Kolkata crowd.

At the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, East Bengal showed real character as they came from a mid-match lull to defeat Chennaiyin FC 3-1 on Saturday night.

Read Bengali :  ISL: বিরতির পর প্রথম অ্যাওয়ে ম্যাচে চেন্নাইয়িনকে হারাল ইস্ট বেঙ্গল

The visitors began brightly, pressing high and playing with sharp intent. In just the 7th minute, Saul Crespo slipped a lovely through ball, and Edmund Lalrindika finished calmly to put East Bengal 1-0 up.

Chennaiyin gradually found their footing. Irfan Yadwad hit the post before equalising in the 28th minute with a delicate chip over the advancing goalkeeper. The first half ended level, and for large parts of the second half, Chennaiyin looked the more dangerous side, creating chances while East Bengal struggled to regain their early rhythm.

Substitutions disrupted the flow further, and as the clock ticked past 75 minutes, it seemed like the points might slip away from the visitors.

Then came the late drama. In the 83rd minute, Bipin Singh rose powerfully to head East Bengal back into the lead. Chennaiyin pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but they were caught on the break. Deep into stoppage time (96th minute), a swift counter-attack saw Miguel Figueira set up Nandhakumar Sekar, who slotted home confidently to make it 3-1.

It wasn’t East Bengal’s most controlled performance, but it was built on resilience and clinical finishing when it mattered most.

The win lifts them to third place in the ISL table, ahead of Mohun Bagan on goal difference.

After the match, goalscorer Edmund Lalrindika summed up the spirit: “I want to win trophies for East Bengal.”

আইএসএল শুরুতেই মিডফিল্ডে শক্তি বৃদ্ধিতে এই তারকাকে নিল চেন্নাই

Bemammer, 36, arrives as a proven professional with over 300 senior career appearances, with more than 40 of those outings coming in the Indian Super League, where he has also chipped in with four goals. A former Morocco international, Bemammer earned 11 caps for his country and scored twice, underlining his pedigree at the highest level.

Upon completing his move, Bemammer said, “I am very happy to join this great team, and I hope to help the club achieve titles. I am also delighted with the return of football and am looking forward to training with the team.”

Renowned for his physical dominance, positional discipline, and game awareness, Bemammer is a classic holding midfielder who offers balance and protection in front of the backline. His experience and leadership are expected to play a key role in anchoring Chennaiyin FC’s midfield unit.

His trophy cabinet reflects his success, having won the CAF Confederation Cup, CAF Super Cup, and an African Nations Championship in 2020, along with several domestic honours. Bemammer later moved to India in 2023, representing NorthEast, and quickly adapted to the demands of Indian football. He also has a Durand Cup title to his name from his time in India.

Speaking on Bemammer’s arrival, head coach Clifford Miranda said, “Bemammer’s will help us to get solidarity & stability in the middle. His ability to hold the ball under pressure, break opponent attacks & find passes to initiate offensive transitions will add a very good dimension to our play. He brings leadership & character to our squad and has a strong personality which will help the team.”

A native of Fes, Bemammer began his professional journey with hometown club Maghreb Fes before moving on to represent Raja Casablanca, one of Morocco’s most storied and successful clubs. Much of his career was spent in domestic football, where he established himself as one of the league’s most reliable and consistent midfielders.

Bemammer will link up with his new teammates in the coming days and begin training as Chennaiyin continue building up to the new season.

 

 

 

 

 

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আইএসএল শুরুর আগেই বিরাট সুখবর দিল কেরালা

Capable of playing as a striker or on either wing, Bertomeu brings with him a strong competitive background across Europe and Asia, having featured in Spain’s domestic circuit and in leagues abroad, including stints in Hong Kong and Indonesia. Known for his direct running, sharp movement in the final third and high-intensity style of play, the Spaniard is expected to provide the Blasters with added firepower and depth in attack.

Bertomeu began his football journey in Spain and has represented clubs such as Gimnàstic de Tarragona, CF Pobla de Mafumet, CF Ascó, CF Peralada, and AE Prat, gaining valuable experience across different levels of Spanish football. In recent seasons, he has also played in Asia, featuring for Eastern FC in the Hong Kong Premier League, followed by a spell with Gresik United FC in Indonesia, where he continued to grow as a modern attacking player.

Kerala Blasters FC CEO, Abhik Chatterjee said, “We are delighted to welcome Victor to Kerala Blasters FC. He is a versatile attacking player who brings energy, experience and a strong work ethic to our squad. We believe he will be a valuable addition to the group as we continue to build a competitive team for the season ahead.”

With nearly 400 career appearances, Noguera brings considerable experience and pedigree to Chennaiyin FC, having enjoyed a long and successful career across Spain, England, Azerbaijan, and India. Over the years, he has established himself as a proven performer at the highest level of the Indian game, collecting major domestic honours, including the Indian Super League, the Indian Super League Cup, and the Durand Cup.

আইএসএল শুরুর আগেই এই স্প্যানিশ তারকাকে নিয়ে সুখবর দিল চেন্নাই

Upon joining Chennaiyin FC, Noguera said, “I’m really happy and excited as I look ahead to the new season after everything that has happened. I’ve already worked with the head coach and know many of the players, which gives me a lot of confidence heading into this new chapter. I’m looking forward to the challenge and hopeful for a strong season ahead. It won’t be easy, but despite all the issues the ISL has gone through, I’m confident that we’ll give our best and work hard to deliver good performances.”

Born in Madrid, Noguera progressed through the youth ranks at Getafe and local side SS Reyes, before eventually earning a move to Spanish giants Atlético Madrid. After rising through the reserve ranks, he made his first-team debut during the 2010–11 season. From there, Noguera went on to enjoy spells in England and Azerbaijan, before returning to Spain in 2014, where he featured extensively across the second and third divisions.

The midfielder arrived in the Indian Super League in 2020, going on to make more than 90 appearances across five seasons for three clubs, scoring 14 goals and registering 15 assists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Welcoming the club’s latest signing, head coach Clifford Miranda said, “In Noguera, we are getting quality & consistency. His calmness & control in the middle will help give the team stability. He is someone who has been around for a long time and is very familiar with ISL. He has a very good rapport with the players, encouraging & pushing them.”

Noguera’s arrival follows the recent signing of Imran Khan, as Chennaiyin FC continue to strengthen the squad ahead of the new season. The Spaniard will link up with his new teammates in the coming days and begin training as the Marina Machans step up preparations for the campaign ahead.

‘মেসি ভগবান’কে ফ্রেম বন্দি করতে ভিন্ন রাজ্যের বাসিন্দারা, ২ নং গেটে একী কান্ড?

The ticket redemption process began at the end of last week. On the final day, fans coming to redeem their tickets displayed remarkable enthusiasm. Around the Yuva Bharati Stadium in Kolkata, Messi fans from different states were spotted gathering.

On this day, Argentine jerseys with Messi’s picture and the text “Welcome Messi” were being sold. Additionally, jerseys featuring East Bengal along with Argentina were available for ₹300. One seller stated, “Jersey sales have been quite good over the past few days. With Messi coming, we hope sales will increase even more on the day of the event.”

A buyer mentioned, “Messi is our god. To see him in person and wear his jersey—both are a huge privilege for me. We can’t miss this.”

Among the fans redeeming tickets, there were couples who were not residents of Kolkata. A pair from Odisha said, “We are Messi fans. We came here just to see our god in person.”

Fans like Sadanon from Manipur and Mounten and Mira from Assam also caught attention. A group of 30 friends came from Shillong. One of them, Danny, said, “Messi is the best among all footballers. If he had stayed a little longer in the stadium, our joy would have been even greater.”

In front of Gate No. 2 at Yuva Bharati, Andruman from Kerala was selling Messi stickers. He said, “I have been collecting these stickers for several years. I even designed some of them myself. Since Messi’s Kerala tour was canceled, I came to Kolkata. Messi has been my favorite footballer since childhood.”

Even before Messi’s arrival, Kolkata was already buzzing with Messi fever. Football fans were seen at every corner, eagerly waiting to see their beloved star, holding jerseys and stickers in hand.

Meet & Greet and Virtual Statue Unveiling

The day kicks off at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday with a Meet & Greet event. From 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., the virtual unveiling of LM10’s statue will take place. Following that, he will head to the Youth Stadium, where stars will be arriving one after another:

11:30 a.m.: Shah Rukh Khan

12:00 p.m.: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

Legendary cricketer Sourav Ganguly will also be present

A special session of football, celebrity interaction, and felicitation will run from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. After that, Messi will head to the airport and fly to Hyderabad at 2:00 p.m. In all, it will be just 12.5 hours – but an emotionally charged visit.

Unprecedented Security Arrangements

With the presence of the Chief Minister, Shah Rukh Khan, and Sourav Ganguly, security measures are being taken to the highest level. Around 2,000 police personnel will be deployed under the leadership of the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate. Inspectors, SIs, and constables from various parts of the city will be on duty, alongside the RAF. Strict traffic control and special parking guidelines have been prepared.

The city has seen legends like Pelé, Maradona, and Messi before, yet the excitement of his return is unique. The young talent of 2011 has now become a legend. Once again, Kolkata will witness history, and the city will rediscover itself amid the frenzy of Messi mania.

Messi’s Main Event in Kolkata — 13 December

9:30 AM — Special programme at his hotel with sponsors

Around 10 AM — Departs for the Salt Lake Stadium (Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan)

At the stadium, he will attend the Mohun Bagan ‘Messi’ All-Stars vs Diamond Harbour ‘Messi’ All-Stars match, which he will watch from the ground

After the match, he will interact with the players of both teams

Later, from the hotel, he will virtually inaugurate a 70-foot statue of Messi

By afternoon, he will fly to Hyderabad

On 14 December, he will take part in various events in Mumbai, and on 15 December, in Delhi. During the tour, he is also expected to meet Shah Rukh Khan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Didn’t get tickets? Don’t worry! Where to watch Messi?

Even though many people could not get tickets to the stadium, the good news is that Messi’s entire tour can be enjoyed right from home.

Messi’s Kolkata tour will be streamed live on the Sony LIV app and website.
(A Sony LIV subscription is required.)

Selected events of the GOAT India Tour 2025 will also be broadcast on—

Prasar Bharati YouTube channel

DD Sports TV channel

Preparations are at full swing everywhere from Kolkata airport to the Salt Lake Stadium. The city’s streets are filled with Messi posters, fans singing, flags and blue-and-white lights reflecting Argentina’s colours. Many say that seeing Messi once in their lifetime is their greatest dream come true. Kolkata, the football-loving city, feels like it has once again transformed into the football capital of the world. Just a few more hours — and India will see its dream man. All of Bengal waits eagerly for the Messi Magic.

On Thursday, after the training session, Australian World Cupper Jason Cummings jokingly asked the reporters waiting outside, “Has Messi arrived already?” Many of his teammates also echoed the same curiosity. The reason is simple—Messi is expected to stay in the same hotel where the foreign players of Mohun Bagan currently reside. Hearing this, another Australian, Dimitri Petratos, laughed and said, “Wish I could share a room with Messi!”

On the same day, Mohun Bagan officially began a new chapter under Spanish coach Sergio Lobera. He conducted a rigorous 90-minute training session on his very first day. However, Liston Colaco and Sahal Abdul Samad were absent due to personal reasons, while Apuiya missed training because of fever.

Interestingly, while the players were buzzing with Messi mania, Lobera remained completely calm. Having been the assistant coach at Barcelona in 2012, he once coached Messi himself. But when asked about his former student’s visit to Kolkata, the new Mohun Bagan head coach chose to remain tight-lipped.

The long wait is finally coming to an end, as Lionel Messi is set to arrive in Kolkata just after midnight on 11 December. The city is preparing to welcome the World Cup-winning captain with grand celebrations.

On Saturday, the excitement in Kolkata will reach its peak as the Youth Bharati Stadium prepares to host one of the biggest football events in the city’s recent history. Amid growing speculation about whether Shah Rukh Khan will share the stage with Messi, the Bollywood icon confirmed the news on Thursday.
On social media, Shah Rukh wrote: “No plans with the Knights this time in Kolkata. The day belongs entirely to Messi. See you on the 13th at Salt Lake Stadium.”

This means fans will witness both Messi and Shah Rukh on the same stage—an early Christmas gift for the people of Bengal. Also expected to attend the event are Sourav Ganguly, Leander Paes, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, along with several other dignitaries.

Messi’s arrival is more than just a football moment—it is an emotion, a celebration deeply intertwined with Kolkata’s culture, passion, and history.

With a coveted spot in the 2026–27 AFC competitions on the line, the winners of the last two editions—East Bengal FC in 2024 and FC Goa in 2025—are determined to reclaim the Super Cup crown and become the first Indian club this season to secure continental qualification.

Under Spanish head coach Óscar Bruzón, East Bengal have shown steady improvement as the tournament progressed. After a nervy 2–2 opening draw against Dempo SC, they bounced back emphatically with a commanding 4–0 victory over Chennaiyin FC. A composed 0–0 draw against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan SG, in a match they largely controlled, ensured the Red & Golds topped Group A and advanced to the semifinals.

In the first semifinal, East Bengal defeated Punjab FC 3–1 with goals from Mohammed Rashid, Kevin Sibille, and captain Saul Crespo, securing their place in the Super Cup final for the third time after appearances in 2018 and 2024.

Unbeaten so far, the Kolkata giants have scored nine goals—more than any other team in the competition. However, they will be without head coach Bruzón on the touchline for the final after he received two yellow cards and was sent off just before halftime in the semifinal.

Manolo Márquez’s FC Goa, meanwhile, are striving to become the first club to successfully defend the Super Cup and clinch their third title, having previously won in 2019 and 2025.

The Gaurs progressed from Group B with wins over Jamshedpur FC (2–0) and Inter Kashi (3–0), despite a setback against NorthEast United FC (1–2). They then edged Mumbai City FC 2–1 in the second semifinal, courtesy of quickfire first-half goals from Brison Fernandes and David Timor.

At the pre-match press conference, East Bengal assistant coach Bino George stated:
“East Bengal never enter a tournament just to participate. We always compete to win. FC Goa are the defending champions and we respect them, but we have prepared rigorously for this day and will give everything to bring the trophy back to Kolkata.”

Captain Saul Crespo added:
“Our preparations have been excellent and the team bonding is visible to everyone. We have one last hurdle ahead of us, and we will give our all to execute our game plan to perfection.”

The match will be streamed live on JioHotstar and broadcast on Star Sports Khel.