Bengaluru FC defeated debutants SC Delhi 1-0 in their opening Indian Super League 2025-26 clash at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. A first-half strike from Sivasakthi Narayanan (45+1’) secured the win, while veteran Sunil Chhetri added late drama. Bengaluru dominated possession, showcasing experience against Delhi’s spirited but inexperienced side.
The Indian Super League 2025-26 season kicked off with Bengaluru FC hosting newcomers Sporting Club Delhi. Bengaluru, led by coach Renedy Singh, relied on their experienced core, including Sunil Chhetri and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, while Delhi, under Polish tactician Tomasz Tchorz, sought to prove themselves in their debut campaign.
The decisive moment came in first-half stoppage time, when Sivasakthi Narayanan converted to give Bengaluru the lead. Despite Delhi’s attempts to equalize, Bengaluru’s defense held firm. Late in the match, Chhetri added a stoppage-time goal, sealing the victory and energizing the home crowd.
Statistically, Bengaluru dominated with 58% possession, 9 shot attempts, and 5 on target, compared to Delhi’s 3 attempts and 1 on target. The win sets the tone for Bengaluru’s campaign, while Delhi showed promise despite the loss.
Major Takeaways
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Bengaluru FC beat SC Delhi 1-0 in ISL opener at Sree Kanteerava Stadium
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Sivasakthi Narayanan scored in first-half stoppage time (45+1’)
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Sunil Chhetri added a stoppage-time goal (90+2’)
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Bengaluru dominated possession (58%) and shots (9 vs. 3)
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SC Delhi showed resilience in debut match under coach Tomasz Tchorz
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Victory boosts Bengaluru’s confidence for the 2025-26 season
Conclusion
Bengaluru FC’s opening win highlights their experience and composure, while SC Delhi’s spirited debut suggests potential for growth. As the ISL season unfolds, Bengaluru aim to build momentum, and Delhi will look to convert promise into points in upcoming fixtures.
Sources: ESPN, Sportstar, Sofascore