East Bengal FC Thrash Churchill Brothers 4-0 as Defending ISL Champions Make Powerful Statement

Defending champions East Bengal FC began their Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating Churchill Brothers 4-0 at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda on Sunday. 

Dani Ramírez opened the scoring with a spectacular early free-kick before Edmund Lalrindika doubled the advantage in the first half. Substitute Bipin Singh then struck twice in the closing stages to complete the rout and deliver the biggest victory of the season so far.

The result marked a commanding start for Antonio Habas’ side, who combined early attacking intent with defensive discipline to secure all three points. Churchill Brothers, meanwhile, struggled to convert their promising spells into goals and were punished by an East Bengal side that proved clinical when opportunities arose.

East Bengal needed only two minutes to break the deadlock, with Ramírez providing a moment of individual quality. The midfielder stepped up to take a free-kick from just outside the penalty area and curled a left-footed effort into the top-left corner, giving Churchill Brothers goalkeeper Sayad Kadir little chance of making the save.

The early goal immediately put the defending champions in control of the scoreline, although Churchill Brothers responded with urgency. The hosts raised the tempo and began searching for an equaliser, creating opportunities that threatened to make the contest more competitive.

Churchill Brothers came close to drawing level and even struck the woodwork during their spell of pressure. However, East Bengal’s defensive organisation held firm, preventing the home side from turning its attacking momentum into a goal.

The ability to withstand that pressure proved important. Rather than allowing Churchill Brothers to dictate the contest after the early setback, East Bengal remained composed and continued to look for opportunities to extend their lead.

Edmund Lalrindika doubles the advantage

East Bengal’s second goal arrived towards the end of the first half through a well-constructed attacking move. David Hmar received possession on the left flank and held the ball before picking out Edmund Lalrindika with a timely pass into the penalty area. Edmund made the right run and finished past Kadir, giving East Bengal a 2-0 advantage.

The goal rewarded the visitors’ patience and gave them greater control heading into the interval. Having absorbed Churchill Brothers’ response to the opening goal, East Bengal had established a two-goal cushion without losing their defensive shape.

For Churchill Brothers, conceding just before half-time made the task more difficult. The hosts had created opportunities earlier in the contest but had failed to capitalise, while East Bengal had converted their chances at crucial moments.

The first-half display highlighted the contrast between the two teams’ finishing. Ramírez’s set-piece execution provided the breakthrough, while the combination between Hmar and Edmund demonstrated East Bengal’s ability to create openings through coordinated attacking movement.

Both teams created opportunities during the early stages of the second half, but Churchill Brothers struggled to make their chances count in the final third. East Bengal, meanwhile, continued to manage the match with a two-goal advantage.

Habas introduced Bipin Singh in the second half, and the substitution proved decisive in the closing stages. In the 85th minute, Bipin produced a superb curling finish into the top corner to make it 3-0. The winger’s strike effectively ended any remaining hopes of a Churchill Brothers comeback and gave East Bengal further breathing room.

Bipin was not finished. Five minutes later, he completed his brace to cap a memorable substitute appearance. PV Vishnu delivered a cross from the left, and Bipin converted to extend East Bengal’s advantage to 4-0.

The late double underlined the defending champions’ attacking depth and ability to maintain their threat even as the match approached its conclusion. Bipin’s impact from the bench also gave Habas a significant positive from an opening fixture in which East Bengal’s established starters had already laid the foundation for victory.

The 4-0 result represents an emphatic opening statement from East Bengal as they begin their title defence. Ramírez’s early free-kick set the tone, Edmund’s finish strengthened their position before half-time, and Bipin’s late brace turned a comfortable victory into a comprehensive one.

The defending champions also demonstrated their ability to withstand pressure. Churchill Brothers had their opportunities, including a strike against the woodwork, but East Bengal remained organised and prevented the hosts from getting back into the match.

Churchill Brothers will now look to regroup after a disappointing result. They had started their campaign with a promising 2-1 victory over Mumbai City FC, but the defeat against East Bengal exposed the importance of taking chances when momentum is in their favour.

Their next fixture is against Punjab FC in a week’s time, providing an opportunity to respond to the setback.

For East Bengal, the focus will be on building on this performance as the season progresses. A four-goal victory, a clean sheet and an influential contribution from the substitutes give Habas’ team plenty of encouragement.

The champions could hardly have asked for a more convincing start. With Ramírez, Edmund and Bipin all finding the net, East Bengal announced their arrival in the new ISL campaign with a performance that combined quality in attack with resilience at the back.