Mohun Bagan Super Giant secured their 22nd IFA Shield title after beating East Bengal FC 1-0 in the final at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) on Thursday, October 8, 2026. Samir Zeljkovic scored a stunning first-half goal in the Kolkata Derby to win a big league title for the Mariners.
The final featured two of the biggest clubs of Indian football in a contest marked by intense challenges, attacking intent, and a tense finish. Both teams came to the game with the goal of winning the title and were hungry to win, so Mohun Bagan did it.
For the green-and-maroon side, the victory was another chapter in its long history in the IFA Shield, one of India’s oldest football tournaments. And Mohun Bagan got the bragging rights over East Bengal in one of the country’s most closely followed football rivalries.
Samir Zeljkovic Delivers The Decisive Goal.
The first half was very competitive as both teams were very close to each other in terms of intensity and control in midfield. No side could create clear opportunities as the defensive units were able to close space and halt attacking intent.
The breakthrough came just before half-time when Mohun Bagan found the opening they had been looking for. Sahal Abdul Samad was instrumental in creating such a chance and took possession in the attacking third before delivering a perfect lofted ball into the penalty area.
Zeljkovic took the chance with the best of his ability. The Bosnian midfielder controlled the delivery on his chest and then struck a low shot past the East Bengal goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa. The goal gave Mohun Bagan a 1-0 edge at the interval.
The timing of the goal was particularly important, as the Mariners went into the interval with a lead and put pressure on East Bengal in the second half. Zeljkovic’s contribution was decisive as neither side was able to score another goal before the final whistle.
East Bengal Push For An Equaliser
East Bengal returned for the second half with the task of finding a way back into the contest. The Red and Gold Brigade intensified their attacks and looked for openings in the Mohun Bagan defence as the match progressed.
The pressure tested the Mariners’ defensive organisation. Mohun Bagan’s backline tried to close spaces, limit dangerous passing options, and prevent East Bengal from converting their attacking moves into a clear scoring opportunity.
East Bengal continued to seek an equaliser as the final minutes passed and players were pushed forward. But Mohun Bagan kept their narrow lead with a defensive display. The final was tense as time ran down, and every clearance and challenge had greater significance.
The Mariners were able to remain organised under pressure in this moment. The first-half goal had given them the lead, but defending it against an aggressive competitor proved equally important.
Zeljkovic Makes Another Crucial Contribution.
There was even more drama in stoppage time. East Bengal received a free kick from a dangerous position outside the penalty area with seven minutes left when they had a chance to threaten the Mohun Bagan goal.
Mohammed Rashid stepped up to take the set piece and unleashed a powerful strike. Zeljkovic, who had already made the difference at the attacking end, intervened again by blocking the effort at close range.
The defensive contribution by the midfielder helped to preserve Mohun Bagan’s advantage at a crucial moment. The block denied East Bengal a late opportunity to change the outcome and brought the Mariners closer to lifting the trophy.
When the final whistle sounded, Mohun Bagan players and fans celebrated the hard-fought victory. The low scoreline reflected the competitive nature of the derby, in which a single moment of quality ultimately separated the two teams.
Mohun Bagan Add Another IFA Shield Crown
The 1-0 win secured Mohun Bagan’s 22nd IFA Shield title, extending their record in the competition. Winning the trophy against East Bengal was especially important for the club and its supporters.
The final also highlighted the importance of individual contributions in high-pressure matches. Sahal Abdul Samad’s delivery created the key opportunity, Zeljkovic finished it with composure, and the midfielder later produced a vital block to preserve the lead.
For East Bengal, the defeat meant that they failed to win the title despite a determined second-half effort and a late attempt to force an equaliser. The result illustrated just how small the margin can be in a derby final and how defensive concentration and clinical finishing can be the deciding factors in the outcome.
Mohun Bagan’s victory at Salt Lake Stadium will be remembered as another significant moment in the rivalry between the two Kolkata clubs. The Mariners achieved the IFA Shield and their 22nd title in front of their fans with a first-half strike and grit under late pressure.
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