Youssef’s Brace and Miguel’s Late Strike Seal 3-0 Win for East Bengal Over NorthEast United
East Bengal FC launched their ISL 2025-26 campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over NorthEast United FC at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Monday. The night, however, belonged to the goals and the men who scored them. The breakthrough came in the 66th minute. Bipin Singh delivered a teasing cross into the box. Spanish striker Youssef Ezzejjari rose high and powered a header into the net. The deadlock was broken. The stadium erupted. East Bengal doubled the lead just four minutes later. Bipin again played a key role, threading a precise pass to Edmund inside the box. Edmund kept his composure and squared it perfectly for Youssef. The forward made no mistake. He smashed the ball home for his second goal of the match in the 70th minute. The Red and Gold Brigade were firmly in control at 2-0. The final flourish came deep into stoppage time. Vishnu calmly laid the ball off to Miguel Figueira. The Brazilian showed great composure and drilled a precise shot into the far corner. It was 3-0. The contest was over. Before the goals, East Bengal had already shown attacking intent. In the 35th minute, Bipin Singh weaved past defenders and sent in a dangerous cross that led to a corner. From the resulting play, Rashid unleashed a powerful strike that crashed against the crossbar, narrowly missing the opener. NorthEast United tried to respond after halftime. In the 55th minute, they began finding small gaps in East Bengal’s final third. They pushed forward with more urgency. But clear chances remained limited.
Australia Include Steve Smith As Hazlewood’s Replacement
Steve Smith, the star batter, was included in the Australian squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 before their clash against Sri Lanka. Smith replaced Josh Hazlewood, who was ruled out of the tournament due to his calf injury. Steve Smith has been added to Australia’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. He replaces Josh Hazlewood, who is ruled out with a calf injury. The ICC confirmed the change, saying, “The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has approved Steve Smith as a replacement for Josh Hazlewood in the Australia squad. Hazlewood is now officially ruled out from participating in the tournament due to a calf injury.” Smith brings experience and depth to Australia’s struggling batting lineup. A senior figure in the squad, he is expected to bolster the team for their next match against Sri Lanka. “Smith’s inclusion adds significant experience and depth to our batting,” the team believes. Australia will need him after their recent loss to Zimbabwe. Steve Smith has joined Australia’s T20 World Cup squad. He comes in after captain Mitchell Marsh suffered a groin injury. Marsh missed the team’s first two matches but is expected to return against Sri Lanka.
“A pretty disappointed dressing room”; Hesson after India defeat
Pakistan was left reeling after a 61-run defeat to the Indian national cricket team in their T20 World Cup 2026 Group A clash in Colombo. Head coach Mike Hesson did not hide the mood inside the dressing room. “There’s a pretty disappointed dressing room in there at the moment, because they know how much it means to Pakistan,” Hesson said. The match at the R. Premadasa Stadium had been in doubt until days earlier, when Pakistan were cleared to play. Once underway, India dominated. Sent in to bat, India posted 175-7 on a tacky pitch. Ishan Kishan struck a brilliant 77 after Abhishek Sharma fell in the first over. Suryakumar Yadav made 32, and Shivam Dube added 27. Pakistan collapsed to 13-3 in reply. Jasprit Bumrah removed Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha in the second over. Only Usman Khan resisted with 44 as Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs. “We know that it’s a huge event, Pakistan against India. We obviously won five games on the bounce before today so we were confident, but today we got outplayed,” Hesson said. He defended the decision to bowl first. “I think the ball was spinning quite a lot initially, and we started well,l but I think the way Kishan played, he took the game away from us.” The defeat left Pakistan with a 1-8 record in the World Cup against India. “We have to pick ourselves up and make sure that we’re very good in two or three days,” Hesson said. “We have played some good cricket in the lead-up to this World Cup, so we’re confident to do well in the tournament.”
