Mohun Bagan Super Giant End 22 Year IFA Shield Drought with Penalty Shootout Victory Over East Bengal

In a dramatic finale befitting one of football's most storied rivalries, Mohun Bagan Super Giant clinched their 21st IFA Shield title by defeating East Bengal FC 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday. The victory marked Mohun Bagan Super Giant's first IFA Shield triumph since 2003, ending a 22 year wait that had seen them reach five finals without success. Both Kolkata giants approached this tournament as a pre season warm up ahead of the AIFF Super Cup 2025, which commences on October 25. Yet the final carried significant weight, particularly given East Bengal FC's recent dominance in the rivalry. The Red and Gold Brigade entered the match with statistical and psychological advantages, having defeated their fierce rivals 3-2 at Kalyani Stadium in the Calcutta Football League and 2-1 in the Durand Cup quarter final at this very venue earlier in the season.​

Mohun Bagan Super Giant arrived at the final amid turbulent circumstances. The club's management faced severe backlash from supporters after refusing to travel to Iran to face Sepahan SC in their AFC Champions League Two fixture, resulting in their removal from the continental competition for the second consecutive season. Despite a comparatively sparse crowd for a Kolkata derby, East Bengal FC supporters slightly outnumbered their Mohun Bagan Super Giant counterparts. The atmosphere, while subdued compared to typical derby standards, still carried the intensity befitting this historic rivalry. Jose Molina, Mohun Bagan's head coach, made eight changes from the side that faced United SC in their previous fixture. The tactical alterations raised eyebrows, particularly the selection of Subhasish Bose over Abhishek Singh Tekcham at left back and the decision to bench influential striker Robson from the start.​ East Bengal's Oscar Bruzon also delivered surprises in his lineup, most notably omitting starman Miguel Figueira from the starting eleven. The Spanish coach, who joined East Bengal FC in October, 2024 with an impressive record from Bangladesh's Bashundhara Kings, opted for a more conservative approach. The match exploded into life in the 25', when Prabhsukhan Singh Gill had produced a crucial save for East Bengal, stretching out his leg to deny Sahal Abdul Samad after Apuia played a penetrating pass that put the Mohun Bagan midfielder one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Minutes later in the 32', Mohun Bagan Super Giant were awarded a penalty after Anwar Ali brought down Jamie Maclaren, earning a yellow card in the process. However, Jason Cummings blasted his spot kick high into the stands, going for power and sending it far over the crossbar. East Bengal FC capitalized on their reprieve in the 36' when Moroccan striker Hamid Ahadad tapped home from close range after Naorem Mahesh Singh delivered a low cross that beat goalkeeper Vishal Kaith. Ahadad came close to doubling the lead in the 43', striking the post with a left footed effort from the edge of the box. A minute later, he dragged another shot wide after catching Mohun Bagan Super Giant defenders on the counter. Just when East Bengal FC looked certain to carry their advantage into the break, Mohun Bagan Super Giant struck in the 45+3'. Sahal Abdul Samad switched play from the right flank to Liston Colaco, who laid the ball off for Apuia. The midfielder unleashed a thunderbolt that crossed the goal line, with the linesman awarding the goal despite the ball not disturbing the net. The teams went into halftime level at 1-1. The second period saw both sides adopt a more measured approach, exchanging wayward efforts that troubled neither goalkeeper. Molina introduced Robson for Jason Cummings in the 60', seeking fresh legs​. East Bengal FC responded with a triple substitution in the 64', bringing on Jay Gupta for Lalchungnunga, Miguel Figueira for Saul Crespo, and debutant Hiroshi Ibusuki for goalscorer Hamid Ahadad. The Japanese striker nearly marked his debut with a goal in the 67', guiding a header goalward from a Miguel free kick with his first touch, only for Vishal Kaith to make a vital save.​ Mohammad Rashid attempted to seize the initiative in the 76' with a solo run from deep midfield, beating both Anirudh Thapa and Apuia, but his final effort lacked both power and direction.​ The match's final significant chance in regulation came in the 90+5' when Robson delivered a dangerous free kick that Mehtab Singh met with a header, brilliantly pushed over the crossbar by Prabhsukhan Singh Gill. Extra time proved largely uneventful, with both teams seemingly content to preserve their energy for the inevitable penalty shootout. Mohun Bagan Super Giant's best opportunity arrived in the 104' when Apuia's low cross between Anwar Ali's legs sought Jamie Maclaren, but Mohammad Rakip, who had kept the dangerous Liston Colaco quiet throughout the match, made a crucial interception.​ In the 120+1', Robson launched another free kick into the East Bengal FC box, which Prabhsukhan Singh Gill punched clear, ensuring the match would be decided from the spot.

In a dramatic tactical move, East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon substituted Prabhsukhan Singh Gill for experienced goalkeeper and penalty specialist Debjit Majumdar ahead of the shootout. The 37 year old Majumdar, a former Mohun Bagan player and two time I-League Goalkeeper of the Year, brought significant pedigree to the task.​ The gamble nearly paid immediate dividends when Majumdar got his hands to Robson's penalty. However, luck favored the Mohun Bagan Super Giant striker as the ball found its way into the net despite the goalkeeper's touch.​ The decisive moment came when Jay Gupta stepped up for East Bengal FC. The left back's center-left shot was at a comfortable height for Vishal Kaith, who made the save.

This miss proved fatal to East Bengal's hopes.​ Mehtab Singh, another derby debutant but a familiar face to East Bengal fans from his time with them, sealed Mohun Bagan Super Giant's 21st IFA Shield trophy by sending Debjit Majumdar the wrong way. The final penalty shootout score stood at 5-4 in Mohun Bagan Super Giant's favor.