FC Goa Clinch Record Third AIFF Super Cup Title After Dramatic Penalty Shootout Win Over East Bengal

Image Credit: All India Football Federation

FC Goa lifted the AIFF Super Cup for a record third time after edging past East Bengal FC 6–5 in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Sunday, December 7, 2025.

Neither side managed to find the back of the net during regulation or extra time, sending the final into a penalty shootout for the first time in the tournament’s history. Goa skipper Borja Herrera and East Bengal’s Mohamad Basim Rashid failed to convert their penalties during the initial five rounds. For the Red and Gold Brigade, Kevin Sibille, captain Saul Crespo, Miguel Ferreira, and Anwar Ali all scored, while Javier Siverio, Dejan Drazic, Muhammed Nemil, and David Timor found the mark for the Gaurs, forcing sudden death. Udanta Kumam and Sahil Tavora scored for the home side, while Hamid Ahadad converted for East Bengal—but PV Vishnu missed his attempt, sealing the title for Goa.

The contest began at a lively pace, with the hosts buoyed by a raucous Fatorda crowd. FC Goa enjoyed a couple of early set-piece opportunities, but East Bengal’s backline held firm. The visitors soon found their rhythm and began creating chances of their own. In the 12th minute, Miguel Ferreira broke through on goal but dragged his shot wide of the post. Bipin Singh looked lively on the left flank, troubling the Goa defence with his pace and delivery. His low cross in the 20th minute found Mahesh Naorem, but the latter’s mishit attempt failed to threaten.

Goa responded with tactical substitutions, introducing Udanta Singh and Nim Dorjee Tamang in place of Boris Singh and Ronney Willson to regain midfield control. The changes worked as the Gaurs started to neutralize East Bengal’s wing play. Mahesh came close twice before halftime—his volley from a Bipin cross in the 43rd minute was saved, and another chance in injury time, set up by Hiroshi Ibusuki, was cut out by Aakash Sangwan’s recovery run.

The second half began with Goa pressing forward. Ayush Chhetri tried his luck from distance just after the restart, followed by Dejan Drazic’s disallowed effort in the 49th minute for offside. However, East Bengal soon regained control, with Bipin’s pinpoint crosses creating opportunities for Ferreira and Ibusuki that went begging around the hour mark.

In the 74th minute, the Red and Golds nearly broke the deadlock when PV Vishnu combined with Ferreira and unleashed a fierce shot that FC Goa goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari initially spilled. The ball rolled dangerously close to the goal line, but Tiwari recovered brilliantly to claw it away, with East Bengal’s appeals for a goal being denied by the referee.

That moment seemed to spark Goa into action. Brison Fernandes struck the woodwork with a powerful long-range drive in the 77th minute, while Drazic headed wide from Borja’s cross shortly after. Defender Pol Moreno almost scored an accidental goal in the 81st minute when his clearance from midfield dipped toward the target, forcing East Bengal goalkeeper Gill to tip it onto the bar.

Goa maintained momentum through extra time, though clear chances were limited. Siverio saw his close-range rebound saved by Gill in the 107th minute, and the East Bengal custodian made another vital stop to deny Timor’s header in the 114th. Despite Gill’s brilliant performance, including getting fingertips to a couple of penalties, it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat. In the end, the decisive miss from Vishnu handed FC Goa the crown once more.