Mohun Bagan Clinches ISL Double with Cup and Shield Wins

Kolkata: In front of a roaring Salt Lake Stadium, Mohun Bagan Super Giant etched their name in Indian football folklore by completing a stunning Indian Super League (ISL) double on Saturday night. The Mariners lifted the coveted ISL Cup after a pulsating 2-1 win over Bengaluru FC, adding it to the League Winners’ Shield they had claimed earlier in the season.

The final unfolded as a gripping contest between two giants of Indian football. The first half was a tense, tactical battle, as both sides pressed hard but failed to find the breakthrough. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, sensing that drama was only a matter of time. And when it came, it was in the most unexpected fashion.

Just four minutes into the second half, it was heartbreak for Mohun Bagan as defender Alberto Rodriguez turned the ball into his own net under pressure, handing Bengaluru FC the lead. The visitors, buoyed by the sudden advantage, pushed forward, looking to tighten their grip on the contest.

But the Mariners, cheered on by their passionate supporters, rallied with determination. They found their moment of redemption in the 72nd minute when Jason Cummings, cool as ever, converted a penalty after Chinglensana Singh handled the ball in the box. The Australian striker sent Gurpreet Singh Sandhu the wrong way, restoring parity and reigniting the atmosphere inside the stadium.

With the score level at 1-1, the tempo surged. Both teams carved out half-chances as the clock ticked down, with goalkeepers Gurpreet and Vishal Kaith standing tall under pressure. Anirudh Thapa and Sunil Chhetri tried to tip the balance in their respective teams’ favour, but neither side could find the winning touch in regulation time.

Extra time was always going to be a test of nerve and stamina. And it was here, in the sixth minute of the first half of extra time, that Jamie Maclaren wrote his name into Mohun Bagan legend. Latching onto a loose ball in the Bengaluru box, the Australian striker unleashed a venomous shot that flew past Sandhu and into the net, sending the stadium into raptures.

The goal proved to be the final twist in a night of high drama. Bengaluru FC pressed desperately in search of an equaliser, but Mohun Bagan’s defence, marshalled with grit and resolve, stood firm. Every clearance, every block was met with deafening cheers as the Mariners inched closer to glory.

With the final whistle, a wave of green and maroon erupted across the Salt Lake stands. Fireworks lit up the Kolkata sky as Mohun Bagan celebrated a momentous achievement. This triumph made them only the second team in ISL history—after Mumbai City FC in 2020-21—to secure both the League Shield and the ISL Cup in a single season.

Their campaign was one of consistency and excellence. Topping the league table with 56 points from 24 matches, Mohun Bagan had already stamped their authority on the season. With this Cup win, they now stand undisputed at the summit of Indian football, also earning a spot in the AFC Champions League 2, Asia’s second-tier continental competition.

For a club steeped in history and tradition, this ISL double will shine as a modern-day jewel in their storied crown. On a night when stars aligned and heroes emerged, Mohun Bagan Super Giant reminded the footballing world of the magic that lives in Kolkata—and the legacy that continues to grow.