ISL 2026/27: East Bengal FC crush Inter Kashi 5-1, Loba and Ramírez lead rout
Synopsis
Defending champions East Bengal FC left no doubt about their title credentials with a 5-1 demolition of Inter Kashi in Pune. Loba's brace and Ramírez's opener arrived before the 30-minute mark, and head coach Habas was comfortable enough to rest his starters in the second half — with substitute Zwolinski still finding the net on his ISL debut for the club.
Key Takeaways
East Bengal FC beat Inter Kashi 5-1 in ISL 2026/27 at Pune on 23 October 2026 .
Aké Loba scored a brace, including a 22nd-minute penalty , opening his season tally.
Dani Ramírez opened the scoring in the 8th minute ; PV Vishnu added a second in the 16th minute .
Inter Kashi's only goal came via a Lalchungnunga own goal in the 28th minute .
Substitute Lukasz Zwolinski scored his first ISL goal for East Bengal in the 81st minute , assisted by Christopher Ikonomidis .
Head coach Habas rotated key players at half-time, resting Loba , Rashid , and Vipin Singh .
East Bengal FC delivered a dominant display at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune on 23 October 2026, thrashing Inter Kashi 5-1 in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026/27 to underline their title-defending credentials. Aké Loba scored a brace, while Dani Ramírez, PV Vishnu, and substitute Lukasz Zwolinski added one goal each for the Torchbearers.
A Blistering First Half
The defending champions wasted no time asserting their authority. Ramírez opened the scoring in the 8th minute, receiving the ball on the right side of the penalty area and lifting it over goalkeeper Albino Gomes to put East Bengal ahead early.
The lead was doubled in the 16th minute when Vishnu finished a swift counterattack with a left-footed strike into the bottom-left corner, set up by Loba. East Bengal extended their advantage to 3-0 in the 22nd minute as Loba converted a penalty — awarded after Wayne Vaz brought down Ramírez inside the box — firing a right-footed effort into the top-right corner to open his personal tally for the season.
Inter Kashi pulled one back in the 28th minute through an own goal by Lalchungnunga, offering the visitors a brief lifeline. However, Loba completed his brace before the break to restore a commanding 4-1 lead for the Torchbearers, effectively ending the contest as a competitive fixture.
Controlled Second Half and Bench Contributions
Head coach Habas made tactical substitutions at the start of the second half, withdrawing key players including Rashid, Loba, and Vipin Singh to manage fitness and provide minutes to younger squad members. East Bengal shifted to a more measured approach, prioritising possession and minimising unnecessary risk.
Despite Inter Kashi pressing hard in search of a comeback, the Torchbearers remained composed. Substitute Zwolinski capped the victory in the 81st minute, scoring his first ISL goal for East Bengal FC — finding the bottom-left corner with a left-footed shot from close range after an assist from Christopher Ikonomidis.
What This Result Means
The 5-1 scoreline marks one of East Bengal's most convincing victories of the season and signals the squad's depth beyond its first-choice XI. Notably, this performance came with key players rested for the second half, highlighting the Torchbearers' competitive resources. This comes amid growing expectations that East Bengal can mount a credible title defence in ISL 2026/27.
With Ramírez in form and Loba firing on all cylinders, East Bengal FC will look to carry this momentum into their next fixture as rivals watch closely.
Point of View
Not instruction — the kind of fluency that typically sustains title challenges. Inter Kashi, meanwhile, offered little beyond a solitary consolation, raising questions about their defensive organisation that will need answering quickly in what is already a congested ISL calendar.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between East Bengal FC and Inter Kashi in ISL 2026/27?
East Bengal FC defeated Inter Kashi 5-1 in the ISL 2026/27 at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune on 23 October 2026. It was a commanding victory for the defending champions.
Who scored for East Bengal FC against Inter Kashi?
Aké Loba scored a brace, while Dani Ramírez , PV Vishnu , and substitute Lukasz Zwolinski each added one goal. Inter Kashi's only goal came from a Lalchungnunga own goal.
What was Lukasz Zwolinski's significance in this match?
Zwolinski came off the bench and scored his first ISL goal for East Bengal FC in the 81st minute, finishing with a left-footed shot from close range after an assist from Christopher Ikonomidis. It was a milestone debut contribution for the substitute.
Why did East Bengal's coach make substitutions at half-time?
Head coach Habas withdrew key players including Rashid, Loba, and Vipin Singh at the start of the second half to manage the risk of injury and provide playing time to younger squad members, with the match already won at 4-1.
Where was the ISL 2026/27 East Bengal vs Inter Kashi match played?
The match was played at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune on 23 October 2026.
