Mohun Bagan Super Giant clinched their 21st IFA Shield title after a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout win over East Bengal at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday. The two teams played out a fiercely fought 1-1 draw after 120 minutes, with Mohun Bagan winning the penalty shoot-out to claim their first Shield crown since 2003, denying East Bengal a record 29th triumph.
East Bengal entered the final with an impressive head-to-head record, having already claimed two derby wins over Bagan this season. Hamid Ahadad gave Oscar Bruzón’s side a deserved lead in the 36th minute when he capitalized on Bagan’s Jason Cummings’ unconverted penalty. However, Mohun Bagan responded through Lalengmawia Ralte (Apuia) just before half-time, setting the stage for a thrilling contest that remained deadlocked in extra-time.
The match was characterized by high intensity and chances on both sides. Mohun Bagan started strongly and almost took the lead in the ninth minute when Jamie Maclaren and Jason Cummings combined, only to be denied by a save from Gill. Cummings missed a golden opportunity in the 34th minute when he sent his penalty over the bar, which East Bengal quickly punished when Ahadad converted Naorem Mahesh Singh’s cross. Ahadad almost doubled the advantage just before half-time, rattling the bar and missing from close range. Bagan responded immediately as Apuia’s left-footed strike from the edge of the area leveled the scores.
Both sides looked for a winner in the second half, with East Bengal substitute Hiroshi Ibusuki almost scoring with his first touch, only for Vishal Kaith to make a crucial save. Bagan’s Abdul Sahal suffered a head injury but returned to the game with his forehead bandaged. Gill made a crucial stop from Mehtab Singh deep into the break, ensuring the match went into extra time where the teams continued to knock each other out.
In the shootout, East Bengal converted through Miguel Figueroa, Kevin Sibille, Naorem Mahesh Singh and Hiroshi Ibusuki, but Jay Gupta’s effort was saved by Vishal Kaith. Robson Robinho, Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco, Dimitri Petratos and Mehtab Singh all found the net for Mohun Bagan. Oscar Bruzón’s decision to replace Prabhsukhan Singh, who had performed well throughout the match, with Debjit Majumder specifically for the shootout proved costly as Majumder failed to stop any of Bagan’s penalties.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
October 18, 2025
