Kerala Blasters 2-1 Bengaluru FC: Yellow Army Register First Win of Season.
Bengaluru FC 1-2 Kerala Blasters FC
ISL 2025-26, Matchweek 8 Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru Saturday, April 11, 2026 Attendance: Over 21,000 Result: Kerala Blasters register their first win of the season with a dramatic comeback.
Kerala Blasters FC stunned the hosts Bengaluru FC with a resilient 2-1 victory at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, marking their maiden win in the 2025-26 Indian Super League season.
Despite going behind early to an own goal and playing against 10 men for most of the match after a red card, the Yellow Army mounted a superb second-half comeback with goals from Víctor Bertomeu and debutant Francisco Feuillassier (also referred to as Franchu).
Bengaluru FC 1-2 Kerala Blasters Highlights, ISL: Tuskers Trump 10-Man Blues, Notch Up Their First Win Of Season.
Pre-Match Build-Up and Lineups
The Southern Derby is always a high-stakes affair, and this clash carried extra weight. Bengaluru FC, sitting in fourth place with 14 points, were eyeing a strong push toward the top of the table under their new setup. Sunil Chhetri, the evergreen captain, led the Blues, bringing his legendary experience and goal-scoring threat.
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Bengaluru FC Lineup (4-2-2 or similar formation): The hosts fielded a strong side with Chhetri at the helm. Key players included defenders and midfielders aiming to control the tempo at home.
Kerala Blasters Lineup: Vibin Mohanan captained the Yellow Army. Coach Ashley Westwood (a former BFC associate) deployed a setup focused on counter-attacks and solidity, with new signings like Bertomeu making an impact.
The atmosphere was electric, with a sea of blue dominating the stands, but pockets of yellow support made their presence felt.
Match Timeline and Key Moments
27' - BFC 1-0 KBFC: Own Goal by Fallou Ndiaye Bengaluru took the lead through a fortuitous own goal. A dangerous cross or set-piece delivery forced Kerala’s Fallou Ndiaye into an error, deflecting the ball past his own goalkeeper. The Kanteerava erupted as BFC went ahead. This was the first major breakthrough in a tense opening phase where both sides probed for openings.
33' - Red Card Drama: Tempers Flare The match turned on its head when BFC's Argentine midfielder Braian Sanchez was shown a straight red card for a needless altercation with Kerala's Matias Hernandez. This left Bengaluru with 10 men for over an hour, shifting the momentum and forcing them into a more defensive posture. Tensions boiled over, typical of a fiery Southern Derby.
Half-Time: Bengaluru FC 1-0 Kerala Blasters Despite the numerical disadvantage, BFC held their lead going into the break. They had created better chances overall in the first half, but Kerala's resilience kept them in the game. The red card meant the second half would be a test of endurance for the hosts.
60' - BFC 1-1 KBFC: Víctor Bertomeu Equalizer (GOOOALLLL!) Kerala Blasters leveled the scores midway through the second half. Víctor Bertomeu found the net with a clinical finish, capitalizing on improved attacking play from the visitors. This goal injected huge belief into the Blasters camp, as they sensed the comeback was on.
78' - BFC 1-2 KBFC: Francisco Feuillassier Winner (GOOOALLLL!) The decisive moment came when super substitute Francisco Feuillassier, on his ISL debut, struck a brilliant goal to give Kerala the lead. His finish — described as a stunner — completed the turnaround. The Yellow Army's bench went wild, and the away fans (and traveling support) celebrated what looked like a historic result.
Full-Time: Bengaluru FC 1-2 Kerala Blasters Kerala held on despite late pressure from the 10-man hosts. This victory lifted them off the bottom, giving them four points and much-needed morale. For BFC, it was a painful home defeat — only their second of the season — denting their title aspirations.
Match Analysis and Statistics
Shots and Chances: Bengaluru had more clear-cut chances before the red card, but Kerala's clinical finishing in the second half proved decisive.
Discipline: The red card was a turning point. BFC's frustration led to indiscipline, while Kerala stayed composed.
Key Performers:
Víctor Bertomeu & Francisco Feuillassier (KBFC): Game-changers with goals.
Sunil Chhetri (BFC): Led by example but couldn't inspire a comeback alone.
Ashley Westwood: Masterminded a perfect return to Kanteerava.
This result highlighted Kerala's fighting spirit and new signings' impact, while exposing BFC's vulnerability when reduced in numbers.
Tactical Breakdown
BFC's Approach: They started aggressively, pressing high and using width. The own goal gave them a platform, but the sending-off compelled a shift to damage limitation. Chhetri dropped deeper at times to influence play, but the lack of numbers in midfield hurt their creativity.
KBFC's Strategy: Westwood's side absorbed pressure initially, defended stoutly, and hit on the counter. The introduction of Feuillassier as a sub was inspired, adding fresh legs and flair in attack. Their set-piece organization and aerial duels were superior in the latter stages.
Post-Match Reactions
Kerala Blasters players and fans celebrated wildly — this first win ended a winless streak and provided a massive boost. Coach Westwood praised his team's character. For BFC, it was disappointment; they will need to regroup quickly for upcoming fixtures.
Historical Context of the Rivalry
The Bengaluru-Kerala rivalry has produced many memorable encounters. This comeback adds to the lore, especially as Kerala's first-ever win at Kanteerava in some records.
Player Ratings (Out of 10)
Bengaluru FC:
Goalkeeper: 7
Defense: 6 (Ndiaye's own goal a low point)
Midfield: 5 (Red card key issue)
Attack: 6
Chhetri: 7.5
Kerala Blasters:
Goalkeeper: 7
Defense: 7.5
Midfield: 8
Attack: 8.5 (Bertomeu 8.5, Feuillassier 9)
Overall Team Spirit: 9
What This Means for the Table
BFC: Drop points at home, now vulnerable in top-four race.
KBFC: Climb off the basement with momentum. Four points from tough games signal improvement.
Extended Highlights and Key Clips
Fans can relive the action through official ISL highlights videos featuring the own goal, equalizer, winner, and red card incidents. The 78th-minute strike by Feuillassier stands out for its composure under pressure.
Fan Reactions and Atmosphere
Social media buzzed with mixed emotions. BFC supporters lamented the red card and defensive lapses, while Kerala fans hailed the "Tuskers" resilience and debut heroics. The crowd of 21,000+ created a cauldron-like atmosphere typical of ISL derbies.
Looking Ahead
Bengaluru FC must bounce back strongly to keep playoff hopes alive. Kerala Blasters will aim to build on this victory, with confidence soaring after ending their drought.
This match encapsulated the unpredictability of ISL football — a lead, a red card, and a thrilling turnaround. Kerala Blasters' first win of 2025-26 will be remembered as a landmark moment in their campaign.
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