B'luru FC 1-0 East Bengal, ISL 2024-25 Highlights: BFC Beat EBFC As The Blues Record Their First Win Of The Season

A HUGE sigh of relief from the home fans as Bengaluru win their first game of the season. Vinith Venkatesh's first-half goal enough to give them a deserved win against a half-baked East Bengal FC side.

Full-time: BFC 1-0 EBFC

BFC captain Sunil Chhetri sounded pretty bullish about his side's title hopes this season.

"This club and its supporters deserve another title, and we are doing everything we can to make sure this season turns out to be special," Chhetri was quoted in ESPN India.

Playing XIs are out

East Bengal Starting XI:

Fans in full voice ahead of the kick-off

These two have met 16 times in the Indian Super League (ISL) with East Bengal FC winning 9 games to Bengaluru FC's 6. 1 game was a draw.

We are minutes away from kick-off as Carles Cuadrat returns to his former home. Elsewhere, Chennaiyin FC won 3-2 away to Odisha FC.

Referee Crystal John Blows the whistle and off we go at the Shree Kanteerava stadium.

1' BFC 0-0 EBFC

East Bengal's Nandhakumar Sekar goes under the book and awarded the night's first yellow by ref Crystal John.

4' BFC 0-0 EBFC

Another yellow-card and it's again another EBFC player in the book. Nunga goes in on a harsh challenge on Noguera and is booked.

8' BFC 0-0 EBFC

A long-range effort from EBFC's Jeakson Singh calls Gurpreet into action. What a stop that! One for the cameras!

12' BFC 0-0 EBFC

Sunil Chhetri isn't pleased with the decision by ref Crystal John. He seems to have tucked the ball away from the EBFC defender by the ref sees otherwise and makes the former India captain angry.

15' BFC 0-0 EBFC

EBFC's Nandha makes a loose pass and gives the ball away to Bengaluru FC 's Mendez, who takes a shot from distance but it misses the target.

17' BFC 0-0 EBFC

EBFC are all over the place and another player gets yellow-carded and it's Juste. The defender hauls down BFC's Mendez and Crystal John isn't letting the player go unpunished.

21' BFC 0-0 EBFC

GOALLLLLLLLLL!!! Vinith Venkatesh brings the roof of the Kanteerava Stadium. What a cracking goal. Édgar Mendez passes it to the youngster and scores it past the EBFC goalkeeper.

25' BFC 1-0 EBFC

Drinks Break - A bit of a cooler as teams take time-off to cool things off. Venkatesh's goal the difference maker in the game so far.

30' BFC 1-0 EBFC

Bengaluru FC are awarded a free-kick. Venkatesh is fouled just outside the box and looks like a dangerous position. Chhetri lines up but shoots it way wide.

35' BFC 1-0 EBFC

A free-kick is awarded to East Bengal but the away side don't make the most of it. EBFC need something in the middle of the park if they are to trouble the BFC goal.

38' BFC 1-0 EBFC

EBFC's Nandha tries to attack down the left wing and cut inside but the he is stopped by the BFC backline.

40' BFC 1-0 EBFC

EBFC's Hijazi fouls BFC's Mendez yet again and the duo have had quite a battle this evening. One to watch out. Three minutes are added on and Suresh tries to run at the EBFC defence but shoots it wide.

45' BFC 1-0 EBFC

Half-time at the Kanteerava stadium as Bengaluru FC lead at the break thanks to Vinith Venkatesh's brilliant goal. All to do for East Bengal FC in the second-half.

Half-time: BFC 1-0 EBFC

Second-half gets underway as Bengaluru FC get the ball rolling and immediately attack the EBFC goal. Chhetri lines up a cross but Juste clears it away.

46' BFC 1-0 EBFC

Finally Hijazi Maher gets his booking as Paul Masefield points out on-air. He is marking Mendez tonight and seems like Crystal John wasn't going away without booking the defender.

52' BFC 1-0 EBFC

Mendez shoots a powerful shot from the middle of the park but unfortunately, the EBFC keeper parries it away.

53' BFC 1-0 EBFC

EBFC Substitution: Dimitrios Diamantakos comes off for M Talal.

57' BFC 1-0 EBFC

BFC making triple change and it seems Sunil Chhetri is one of them. Off go Chhetri, Jovanovic and E Mendez. On come Sana, Diaz and Williams.

61' BFC 1-0 EBFC

Jeakson lines one up from long range but shoots in the air. EBFC looking clueless so far in the middle and up front. Builds up nicely for BFC and their game so far.

67' BFC 1-0 EBFC

Pedro finds Diaz but the latter is way offside and rightly so called by the linesman.

69' BFC 1-0 EBFC

Some attacks from BFC but cannot penetrate further as the home team cannot find the 'perfect' pass in the EBFC half.

73' BFC 1-0 EBFC

As we break for small water-break, the game is slowly opening up with attacks at either ends. Huge last 15 minutes coming for both sides.

75' BFC 1-0 EBFC

Under 10 minutes left with stoppages and EBFC need a goal from somewhere or else the home team are running away with three points tonight.

80' BFC 1-0 EBFC

BFC's R Singh is booked for a reckless challenge.

83' BFC 1-0 EBFC

BFC's Noguera comes off. And amidst all that, EBFC's Lalchungnunga becomes the first player of the season to be red-carded. He receives the second yellow and referee Crystal John shows him the exit door. Cleiton too is awarded a yellow for dissent.

87' BFC 1-0 EBFC

Fourth official signals eight minutes added on. EBFC still pushing for a equaliser whereas BFC need a break and the game is theirs.

90+1' BFC 1-0 EBFC

EBFC are parked in the BFC half and despite man short, are giving everything they have got. Bengaluru defenders are heading everything that is coming their way.

90+2' BFC 1-0 EBFC

Talal is brought down by Suresh and it brings out the card from the referee. A small fight breaks out.

90+7' BFC 1-0 EBFC