As the referee blew the final whistle, the Salt Lake Stadium was awash in emotions—on one side, the Mohun Bagan Super Giant fans roared in celebration. At the same time, East Bengal supporters quietly trickled out, disappointed by yet another Derby defeat. This victory wasn’t just about three points for MBSG; it was a statement of their growing dominance in Indian football and, more specifically, the Kolkata Derby.
The match itself was a tale of two teams moving in opposite directions. Mohun Bagan’s relentless pressure, intelligent passing, and sharp execution left East Bengal chasing shadows for much of the game. From the moment MacLaren found the back of the net in the 41st minute, it seemed inevitable that Bagan would emerge victorious. Their control of the game—particularly through the dynamic duo of Greg Stewart and Manvir Singh—showcased the tactical discipline that has become a hallmark of their play this season.
The game began with Mohun Bagan Super Giant asserting their control, maintaining the bulk of possession, and keeping East Bengal under sustained pressure. From the opening minutes, it was clear that Bagan had come up with a game plan, exploiting the wings and creating dangerous opportunities through their talismanic playmaker, Greg Stewart, and pacey winger, Manvir Singh
In the 7th minute, Mohun Bagan had their first big chance when Colaco’s corner was cleared, only for the ball to return to him. His quick thinking saw him take a shot from the edge of the box, but the East Bengal goalkeeper, Prabhsukhan Gill, was alert, collecting the ball with ease. Just a minute later, another chance came MBSG’s way. Stewart played a precise ball into the path of Manvir, who was making a run into the box. East Bengal’s defender Lakra made a crucial block, clearing the ball out for a corner, temporarily relieving the pressure.
East Bengal managed to carve out a rare opportunity in the 12th minute when Yuste sent a lofted pass to David, who flicked it onto Nandha on the right wing. Nandha’s cross into the middle found Cleiton Silva, whose header lacked power, allowing Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith to make a routine save. It was one of the few moments in the first half when East Bengal looked capable of breaking through.
Mohun Bagan, however, were relentless, and their pressure paid off in the 41st minute. Manvir, again a threat on the right flank, sent a low cross into the six-yard box. MacLaren was at the right place at the right time, taking advantage of some poor defending by the East Bengal backline to guide the ball into the back of the net, giving the Mariners a deserved lead. East Bengal’s defense looked disorganized, and this proved to be a costly mistake. Mohun Bagan went into the break with a 1-0 lead, while East Bengal struggled to find their rhythm.
The second half began with East Bengal making an early substitution, bringing on PV Vishnu to inject some energy into their attack. However, the change did little to alter the course of the match, as Bagan continued to control proceedings. Stewart, who had been a constant thorn in East Bengal’s defense, almost doubled the lead in the 75th minute when he made a fantastic run, twisting and turning away from defenders before unleashing a shot from outside the box. The ball narrowly missed the left post, much to the relief of Gill in goal.
East Bengal had their best spell of the game shortly after, with Jesin combining well with Talal and creating a dangerous opportunity in the 77th minute. Jesin dribbled down the left side and cut the ball back to Diamantakos, but the Greek striker couldn’t capitalize as the ball took a deflection and struck his hand, leading to a free-kick for the Mariners.
As the game moved towards its final stages, East Bengal began pushing players forward, searching for an equalizer. In the 84th minute, a controversial moment occurred when Stewart went down inside the box, claiming he had been fouled by Anwar Ali. The referee waved play on, much to the frustration of the Mariners bench, but it didn’t deter their momentum.
The moment that sealed the game came in the 88th minute when Dimitri Petratos, cool and composed, slotted home the penalty that had been won by some clever movement and a clumsy challenge from East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill. Petratos’ celebration was met with thunderous applause from the Mohun Bagan faithful, a fitting response to a performance that deserved nothing less than victory.
As East Bengal desperately pressed for a late goal, their attack faltered under MBSG’s well-organized defense. The fleeting glimmers of hope from players like Jesin and Talal were snuffed out quickly by a defense marshaled with authority by Aldred and Rodriguez. Each attempt to breach the Mohun Bagan goal felt more desperate and futile than the last, as the minutes ticked away.
In added time, Bagan made a few substitutions to see the game out. Ashique Kuruniyan and Jason Cummings were introduced, replacing Stewart and Liston Colaco. Cummings, however, received a yellow card for a late challenge on Zothanpuia, which was the last meaningful action before the referee blew the final whistle.
In the end, this Kolkata Derby told a familiar story—a tale of a team in control and another searching for answers. For Bagan, this victory not only cemented their place in 2nd in the league table but also deepened their dominance over their arch-rivals. The East Bengal camp, meanwhile, was left to ponder how they might reverse their fortunes, with frustration mounting after yet another disappointing outing in a season that has seen far too many. The once-heated rivalry now seemed more like a demonstration of class, with Bagan firmly in the driver’s seat.
As the floodlights dimmed and the fans filed out of the stadium, there was an unshakable sense that the scales had tipped decisively in Mohun Bagan’s favor. The Kolkata Derby remains a battle for local pride, but on this night, it was also a testament to the gulf that now separates these two storied clubs. The night belonged to Mohun Bagan—a team that not only played like champions but carried themselves with the confidence of a club destined for greater things.
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