Mohun Bagan Super Giants staged a stunning second-leg turnaround to book their place in the Indian Super League final, defeating Jamshedpur FC 2-0 at Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. They progressed with a 3-2 aggregate score. After losing the first leg 2-1 away, the Mariners needed a win by at least a two-goal margin to make it to the summit clash and they delivered in front of a packed stadium at home.
Jamshedpur came into the match with a clear defensive plan— sit deep and frustrate the Mariners. The visitors executed their strategy effectively in the first half, denying Mohun Bagan any real inroads despite intense pressure. The home side created a couple of promising chances, notably in the 35th minute, when Jason Cummings shot straight at Albino Gomes. Two minutes later, Ashique Kuruniyan’s clever back-heeled flick put Cummings through again, but Gomes pulled off a brilliant save to keep Jamshedpur’s aggregate lead intact.
It wasn’t until the 51st minute that the breakthrough finally arrived. From a corner kick, the ball struck Pronay Halder’s outstretched arm inside the box, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot. Cummings, calm under pressure, converted the penalty with precision to level the aggregate scoreline. With everything to play for, Mohun Bagan pushed forward relentlessly.
The winning moment came deep into added time, and it was worth the wait. Lalengmawia Ralte, fondly known as Apuia, picked up a loose ball outside the box and unleashed a thunderous strike into the top right corner, leaving Albino with no chance. The Yuba Bharati Krirangan erupted, as Mohun Bagan sealed their place in the final in dramatic fashion.
The Mariners will now face Bengaluru FC in a repeat of the 2022-23 ISL final, a clash that promises fireworks.