Kolkata : Mohun Bagan Super Giants finally touched Calcutta Football League (CFL) glory after eight years wait. The Mariners defeated Mohammedan SC 3-2 in a nail biting encounter at Barasat Stadium, Kolkata in virtual Final of CFL 2026 Super 6, coming from behind with 10 men after goalkeeper Deeprobhat Ghosh was sent off.
Sahal Abdul Samad scored twice, while Sayan Banerjee struck the winner in the 73rd minute as the Mariners turned the game in matter of minutes blocking Mohammedan and East Bengal to win CFL 2026. This Trophy was Mohun Bagan’s first Trophy in the season. They last won IFA Shield 2025-26 , after which they remained trophyless even after coming near.
Both teams went into the final Super Six undefeated with four points and 2 wins. A win for either of them would secure the title without having to depending on other results.
Mohun Bagan coach Bastab Roy named senior seven players who regularly feature in the ISL, with Lallianzuala Chhangte making his CFL debut for the club.
Mohun Bagan started in fine touch and created the first clear opportunity in the ninth minute. Kiyan Nassiri’s cutback found Sahal inside the box, but his low effort was saved by Mohammedan goalkeeper Nikhil Deka.
Mohammedan however, found spaces whenever Mohun Bagan pushed forward. Lalremsanga, Lalthankhima and in form Israfil Dewan looked dangerous on the counter, although their final passes repeatedly let them down.
Mohun Bagan eventually broke the deadlock in the 26th minute. Manvir Singh’s pass found Chhangte, who lifted a clever ball towards the far post. Sahal was left unmarked and headed towards goal. The ball took a touch off Deka before finding the net.
Despite the goal, Mohammedan stood determined. They continued to attack and were rewarded just before half-time. In the 42nd minute, Lalthankhima carried the ball forward and played a clever through pass into the path of Lalremsanga. With no defender able to close him down, the Mohammedan forward calmly placed his right-footed shot past Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Deeprobhat to make it 1-1.
Mohun Bagan made a change at the break, with Abhishek Suryavanshi replacing Deepak Tangri. But Mohammedan continued to threaten.
The turning point came in the 58th minute. A long kick went over the Mohun Bagan midfield and defence, with Lalremsanga racing towards the ball. Deeprobhat came off his line and brought down the forward inside the box commiting a foul. The referee awarded a penalty and showed the Mohun Bagan goalkeeper a red card.
Bastab Roy was forced to sacrifice Chhangte to bring on goalkeeper Zahid, while Sayan Banerjee replaced Kiyan.
Mahitosh converted the penalty in the 62nd minute, sending Zahid Bukhari the wrong way and putting Mohammedan 2-1 ahead. Their fans began shouting in delight sensing a iconic Trophy win.
Mohun Bagan, however, refused to give up being down to 10 men. In the 69th minute, Rabilal Mandi’s cross found Manvir, who headed the ball into Sahal’s path. Sahal made no mistake with his header, bringing the score level at 2-2.
But a draw was not enough for Mohun Bagan. On other hand at East Bengal Ground, the Red and Yellow brigade hammered 7-0 against Coal India SPA thereby outclassing everyone in Goal Diffrence. Had Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan ended with 2-2 draw, East Bengal would have been declared the CFL champion.
Mohun Bagan who’re so near from winning the title saw the hopes fading away, thus, became more desperate to score the lead. They got it four minutes later with help of youngster Sayan Banerjee whose transfer to Mohun Bagan after a successful season at East Bengal created huge talks in Kolkata.
Sayan exchanged passes with Sahal before receiving the ball inside the box. He kept his composure and fired a diagonal shot past Nikhil Deka to put Mohun Bagan 3-2 ahead. The Stadium erupted in joy with Green and Maroon colours being played by fans.
The remaining minutes were nervy, with six minutes of stoppage time added. But Mohun Bagan held nerves to deny Mohammedan any further goal and complete a memorable comeback.
Mohun Bagan clinched their 31st CFL title, and first Trophy in the league since 2018. The victory comes at an important time when they suffered a setback and drought in titles since IFA Shield 2025. Ahead of IFA Shield 2026 and ISL 2026-27 , this victory is a major boost in their confidence.
Brief Scorecard:
Mohun Bagan – 3 (Sahal Abdul Samad 26′, 66′, Sayan Banerjee 74′)
Mohammedan – 2 (Mahitosh Roy 63′, F. Lalremsanga 42′).
