ISL 2025-26: Lalbiaknia’s good finish helps NEUFC earn a point against Bengaluru FC

Thanks to a fine display of skill from Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, NorthEast United FC won a 1-1 draw against Bengaluru FC in a thrilling ISL match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Sunday.

Lalbiaknia made an immediate impression after coming on as a substitute. The Mizoram forward controlled a challenging long ball from Asheer Akhtar with a deft first touch, before unleashing a powerful shot to beat BFC administrator Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Lalbiaknia’s clinical approach in front of goal contrasted with that of his nervous teammates, who missed plenty of chances.

The home team drew first blood through a fine individual effort from the Argentinian Braian Sanchez. The midfielder showed great ball control by cutting to the right and sliding past his markers. Sánchez completed the move with a low, hard strike that nestled into the bottom corner.

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The performance, played in front of 13,623 raucous fans, witnessed several attacking plays from both teams. Parthib Gogoi’s close range shot in the opening minute, M. Zibaco’s header and MS Jithin’s powerful shot kept the visitor’s hopes alive in the first half.

NEUFC came close again in the 62nd minute when Jairo Samperio curled in a through ball, but once again the quality of finishing was not up to par.

BFC almost found a late winner through Ryan William, whose effort bounced off the crossbar.

Published on February 22, 2026