ISL 2025-26: Chennaiyin FC ends dismal campaign with home defeat against Bengaluru FC

Chennaiyin FC did not have a smooth ride into the sunset as it ended its already dismal 2025-26 season in the Indian Super League (ISL) with a 1-2 defeat to Bengaluru FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.

Daniel Chima Chukwu and Ryan Williams traded strikes in the first half, before debutant Serto Worneilen Kom grabbed a late winner to leave Chennaiyin in thirteenth place with just nine points. Its worst result since 2018/19, when it finished tenth out of ten teams.

In sweltering conditions, Bengaluru claimed control thanks to its four-man midfield, with Braian Sánchez testing the opposition goalkeeper as early as the second minute.

Soham Varshneya, in his first start in the ISL, took up the right-most position in that central group and put constant pressure on the Chennaiyin backline. As well as overloading the penalty area with passes, the 21-year-old also threatened, occasionally cutting inside and shooting, with Mohammad Nawaz reacting quickly to deny the youngster the tie after 20 minutes.

But for all the BFC dominance, it was Chennaiyin who broke the deadlock.

Coach Clifford Miranda’s criticism of the team’s pre-match chance conversion appeared to have fired up the players as they took the lead in the 34th minute with their first big chance of the match.

Chukwu started the quick move by winning the ball in the center of the pitch and distributing it before running forward to take up position in the area. The ball, meanwhile, found its way to Mandar Rao, who was played through on the left wing by Farukh Choughary before putting it on a plate for Chukwu.

Bengaluru were desperate for the equalizer before half-time, and this time their hunger was rewarded when William made a sharp one-touch move with Lalremtluanga Fanai to set themselves up for an easy finish with two regular minutes remaining in the first half.

As daylight faded, Bengaluru refused to take it easy, with Nawaz repeatedly springing into action, often countering the opponent’s distribution in the box. The Chennaiyin custodian’s best moment of the night came in the 65th minute, when he denied Sanchez from close range after being picked up by a dazzling Williams run.

On the other hand, the visitors learned from their first half mistake and did not let the home side take them out of form.

Both teams made attacking changes, with Sunil Chhetri obviously getting the loudest cheers, especially from the group of Bengaluru fans who outnumbered the home support for most of the evening.

With the seconds ticking down, the away supporter was given one last hurray for the season after Williams broke through the Chennaiyin box from the right in the 89th minute. His cutback was struck first time by Fanai, and Pritam Kotal made a block in front of goal, only to see the loose ball punched into an empty net by substitute Kom after taking advantage of a slumbering defense.

Tension flared at the final whistle when Chennaiyin’s S. Prakadeswaran expressed his frustration by firing the ball into the opposition dugout, leading to a reaction and then a massive scrap. However, the failure will not deter Bengaluru, who kept their mathematical chances of winning the league alive and climbed to the top of the standings with 23 points from their thirteen matches.

Published on May 16, 2026