The 11th edition of the Indian Super League is coming to a close on the 12th of April, Saturday, as Mohun Bagan Super Giant hosts Bengaluru FC at Salt Lake Stadium. Both sides have won the ISL Cup once in club history; a win for MBSG will see the Mariners claim a rare League double, achieved only by Mumbai City in the past. As for Bengaluru, victory in the final would mean revenge for the heartbreak suffered in 2023.
What happened the last time the two sides met in the ISL final?
Mohun Bagan’s last ISL title coincidentally marks the last time Bengaluru reached the final as well. In a nervy encounter at the Fatorda in Goa, the two sides were unable to separate themselves in 120 minutes. Mohun Bagan opened the scoring from a penalty, coolly converted by Dimitri Petratos, who is still the No.9 for the men in maroon and green. Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri then pulled his side back into the game from the penalty spot in similar fashion.
Roy Krishna gave the Blues hope with a header to put his side 2-1 up with just 12 minutes of normal time to go. However, another poor penalty conceded by the Bengaluru defence gave the Mariners a way back into the game. Petratos nailed his kick past Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, levelling things up once agian.
Witht the sides inseparable in extra time as well, the game needed penalties to decide the victor. Bengaluru player Bruno Ramires saw his shot saved by Vishal Kaith, while Pablo Perez skied his attempt. In contrast, five perfect spot kicks from Bagan in the shootout handed them their fist-ever ISL crown.
The 2024/25 ISL final will kick-off at 7:30 PM IST at Salt Lake Stadium.
