The ISL returns with a bang as Bengaluru beat SC Delhi in a five-goal thriller

If there’s a way to remind Indian football fans what they’ve been missing out on during the months of uncertainty, Bengaluru FC and Sporting Club Delhi delivered on Saturday. The Indian Super League bounced back with a five-goal thriller at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium as Bengaluru came from behind to win 3-2 with an 89th-minute winner.

There was a little bit of everything. Borja Martinez scored twice, Menno Koch transformed from villain to hero and Bengaluru left it late to start their season on a winning note. If the league needed an opening spectacle, this was a pretty good way to show it off.

The first half had a goal, an equalizer and an own goal. Safe to say #MGISL13 is over! #MGISL13 #BFCSCD MG Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 10, 2026

But the return of the ISL is about more than just one fun afternoon in Bengaluru. After months of uncertainty and a shortened campaign last season the league is back to a home-and-away format under a club-led model. For Indian football, it is a relief to have the full season back on the calendar. Now comes the task of making it count.

The timing is hard to ignore. The league returns immediately after India’s highly watched international window against Panama, Brazil and Uruguay, which was played at a time when no domestic season was underway. India drew 1-1 with Panama before losing 4-0 to Brazil and 6-1 to Uruguay. The matches brought attention back to Indian football, but also showed how far the national team has to go.

And that’s where ISL comes in. Big international nights can capture the imagination, but players can’t bridge that gap with friendlies alone. They need regular competitive minutes, week in and week out. The new season offers a chance to provide that platform while giving fans a reason to follow their clubs long after the international spotlight has moved on.

KOCH GOES FROM VILLAIN TO HERO

For a good part of the afternoon, Koch probably wished the ground would swallow him. Borja opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, assisted by Ryan Williams, but Rodriguinho equalized for Delhi four minutes later after being set up by Lalrinliana Hnamte.

Koch’s own goal in the 32nd minute gave Delhi a 2-1 lead at the break. Bengaluru needed a response and Borja struck again in the 75th minute when he finished off Mihail Perovic’s assist to make it 2-2.

Two moments that turned the tables in favor of the Blues in #BFCSCD. Watch #MGISL13 live on YouTube and SonyLIV. MG Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 10, 2026

With a draw looking likely, Koch converted at the right end in the 89th minute. He converted an assist from Soham Varshney to complete the comeback. Delhi had one last chance in the break but Gurpreet Singh Sandhu denied Richard Ndayishimiye to maintain Bengaluru’s lead.

It was a winning start for Pep Munoz, while Tomasz Tchorz and his Delhi players had to wonder how a half-time lead got away from them. However, the final whistle must have been especially sweet for Koch.

NO TELEVISION YET BUT WATCHING YOUTUBE OFFERS HOPE

The ISL has made all its matches available for free on YouTube this season. Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV are also part of the broadcast arrangement, although linear television coverage of Sony Sports has reportedly been delayed as the broadcaster awaits final regulatory clearance from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).

The opening match offered an early glimpse of the potential audience. The number of concurrent viewers on YouTube was around 19,000 at one point, before climbing to over 73,000 towards the end, based on data observed during the broadcast. These numbers reflect concurrent viewers, not total viewers per stream.

That’s encouraging, but getting fans to click live is one thing. Giving them a reason to come back every weekend is another. In Indian football, excitement has built up around big events before. The real challenge is to make the home game part of people’s routines, rather than something they only tune in to when a major international side comes to town.

Recent friendlies have attracted attention. Now the ISL has to make the most of it. A steady season won’t solve every problem in Indian football, but it can give the players the games they need and the fans something to invest in.

Saturday brought goals, a comeback and a late winner. Not a bad way to give back. The question is whether the ISL can keep the show going once the opening day hype dies down.

The action continues with FC Goa taking on Chennaiyin FC at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.

– The end