An extra-time goal from Jamie Maclaren handed Mohun Bagan a 2-1 victory over Bengaluru FC (BFC) in the final and the Indian Super League 2024-25 Cup title at their home turf, the Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata on Saturday, April 12. (Highlights | More Football News)
Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) thus completed the Indian Super League double, having won the league shield earlier in the season. The Mariners have become just the second team after Mumbai City FC (2020-21) to win the league shield and the Cup in the same season.
MBSG came from behind after trailing by a goal, and then held their nerves to make extra-time count in front of a delirious home crowd.
It was BFC who took the lead in the 49th minute, courtesy of an own goal by defender Alberto Rodriguez. Williams was afforded enough space on the right flank and he optimised it with a whipping cross directed for Mendez inside the box.
Captain Subhasish Bose, who was marking Williams, could not close down his target. Rodriguez attempted to clear the ball but ended up hammering it into the back of the net under pressure.
But MBSG earned a reprieve in the form of a penalty due to a handball by Chinglensana Singh. In the 72nd minute, Jason Cummings stepped up for spot-kick duties and effortlessly converted the chance by caressing the ball into the bottom left corner with his left foot to bring the contest back on level terms.
The match entered extra time, and it did not take Maclaren too long to finally carve an impact in the grand finale. With the Mariners exerting numbers ahead, the BFC defence slipped and Maclaren incisively tapped upon that with a fierce effort from inside the box to unsettle Sandhu and hit the centre of the net in the 96th minute, sealing a memorable triumph for the Kolkata-based club.
