Explore how Anwar Ali and Ezzejjari’s brilliance led to a stunning 7-goal derby victory for Kolkata, marking a memorable chapter in football history.
Introduction:
The Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) has stood witness to nearly a century of Kolkata football history, but few nights have ever felt as seismic as this. On Monday, March 23, 2026, the legendary Salt Lake Stadium became the backdrop for a clinical massacre as East Bengal FC dismantled Mohammedan Sporting Club 7-0.
This wasn’t just a victory; it was a statement of intent that reverberated across the Indian Super League (ISL). By the time the final whistle blew, East Bengal had not only secured three points but had also equaled the joint-highest winning margin in ISL history—matching FC Goa’s 7-0 thrashing of Mumbai City FC in 2015. For the Red and Gold Brigade, this was the ultimate redemption after a stuttering start to the 2025/26 campaign, while for the Black Panthers, it was a harrowing night of tactical collapse and defensive fragility. See also: Sanchez and Ashique Shines as Blues Sink Inter Kashi 3-1
Anwar Ali’s Long-Range Spark and the Opening Salvo
The air in Kolkata was thick with the usual derby tension, but it took only six minutes for the hosts to shatter the nerves. East Bengal’s center-back Anwar Ali, often lauded for his composure and distribution, decided to take matters into his own hands. Picking up the ball on the left flank after some patient buildup, Ali unleashed a thunderous, long-range left-footed strike.
The ball swerved with a venomous trajectory that completely deceived Mohammedan’s goalkeeper, Padam Chettri. As the net bulged in the bottom-right corner, the stadium erupted. It was a goal of pure technical audacity, setting the tone for what was to become a relentless evening of pressure. Anwar Ali, who would later be adjudged the Player of the Match, had provided the spark that ignited the bonfire.
The pressure didn’t let up. Just eight minutes later, Miguel Figueira—a constant thorn in the visitors’ side—drove into the penalty area and was clumsily tripped by left-back Sajjad Hussain. The referee’s finger pointed instantly to the spot. Youssef Ezzejjari, the Spanish-Moroccan forward who has quickly become a fan favorite, stepped up with ice-cold veins. He sent Chettri the wrong way, slotting the ball into the bottom corner to make it 2-0. In just 14 minutes, Mohammedan Sporting were already staring down a mountain they had no tools to climb.
Red Cards and Retakes: The First-Half Collapse
As the first half progressed, the gulf in quality became increasingly apparent. While Mohammedan Sporting attempted to string passes together through Juwel Mazumder and Md Fardin Ali Molla, they were frequently stifled by a high-pressing East Bengal midfield led by Saul Crespo and Mohammed Rashid.
The match reached a point of no return in the 38th minute. During a frantic East Bengal attack, Edmund Lalrindika was brought down inside the box by Joseph Lalmuanawma. To make matters worse for the visitors, the referee issued a second yellow card to Lalmuanawma, reducing the Black Panthers to ten men.
Captain Saúl Crespo took responsibility for the resulting penalty. In a moment of high drama, his first attempt was ordered to be retaken due to encroachment. Undeterred, Crespo maintained his focus, waiting for the goalkeeper to commit before passing the ball into the net on the second attempt. 3-0. East Bengal went into the halftime break not just with a commanding lead, but with a numerical advantage that promised further carnage.
Ezzejjari and the Triple-Penalty Milestone
The second half began much as the first had ended: with East Bengal camped in the Mohammedan half. In the 54th minute, history was made in a rather unique fashion. Miguel Figueira was once again the catalyst, being brought down by Padam Chettri as he attempted to round the keeper. For the third time in a single match, the referee awarded a penalty to the hosts.
Youssef Ezzejjari stepped up for his second spot-kick of the night, mirroring his earlier success with a clinical finish. This marked the first time in ISL history that a team had scored three penalties in a single match. At 4-0, the match had transitioned from a contest into a training exercise. Oscar Bruzon’s side were playing with a freedom that bordered on arrogance, zipping the ball across the turf as the ten men of Mohammedan chased shadows.
The Vishnu and Anwar Show: Stretching the Lead
Despite the massive lead, East Bengal refused to take their foot off the gas. PV Vishnu, the young left-back who had earlier rattled the crossbar in the first half, finally found his reward in the 75th minute. Following a corner variation that caught the tired Mohammedan defense off-guard, Vishnu was the quickest to react to a loose ball in the six-yard box, stabbing it home for 5-0.
Four minutes later, the man who started it all put the game truly beyond any comprehension. Anwar Ali, pushing forward for a corner, received a clever pass from Mahesh Naorem. With the poise of a seasoned striker, Ali controlled the ball and tucked a composed left-footed finish into the far corner. It was his second goal of the night, a brace from center-back that highlighted both his individual talent and the complete defensive breakdown of the opposition.
Nandha Kumar’s Stoppage-Time Exclamation Point
As the clock ticked into the sixth minute of added time, most teams would have been content to simply see the game out. But Nandha Kumar Sekar, introduced as a substitute to maintain the attacking intensity, had other ideas.
Receiving a ball from Anwar Ali near the edge of the area, Nandha Kumar dazzled his way past two weary defenders before placing a clinical, curling finish into the far post. The goal made it 7-0, putting the final nail in the coffin and sparking scenes of jubilation among the Red and Gold faithful. It was a fitting conclusion to a night where every tactical gamble paid off for East Bengal, and every defensive hope withered for Mohammedan.
A Historic Stand on the Table
This victory serves as a monumental turning point for East Bengal FC. By securing three points in such emphatic fashion, they have climbed to fourth in the standings with 11 points from six matches. More importantly, they have reclaimed the psychological high ground in the city of Kolkata, asserting their dominance in the derby against a Mohammedan side that now finds itself rooted to the bottom of the table without a single point in five games.
As the league enters the international break, the conversation will be dominated by Oscar Bruzon’s tactical masterclass and the individual brilliance of Anwar Ali and Youssef Ezzejjari. For the supporters, this was the derby they had dreamed of for decades—a night where the Red and Gold was the only color that mattered in Kolkata.
