CFL 2026: Mohun Bagan edge past Mohammedan SC on final matchday to lift title

The Mariners scored 3 goals against the Black Panthers.

The Calcutta Football League (CFL) 2026 produced a dramatic title decider as Mohun Bagan defeated Mohammedan Sporting Club to finally end their 8-year wait for the coveted Calcutta Football League crown as the Mariners showcased immense fighting spirit in the final matchday.

Sahal Abdul Samad opened the scoring for Mohun Bagan before Mohammedan Sporting Club’s Remsanga scored the equaliser before half-time. The Black Panthers then turned the game around after the break, with Mohitosh Roy converting the penalty in the 62nd minute after an incident for which the Mohun Bagan goalkeeper was sent off.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, the Mariners responded in style as Sahal scored his second of the game, and Sayan Banerjee sealed the deal with the third goal and secured the CFL title after 8 years.

Meanwhile, in the other games, East Bengal FC scored seven goals against Coal India, while the game between United SC and Bhawanipore FC ended in a goalless draw.

Sahal with the first strike

From the very first minute of the play, Mohun Bagan started with a positive intent as they put everything in the transitions against Mohammedan SC, with the Marines enjoying an ample amount of possession.

Sandeep Malik, the midfield machine of the Mariners, got a good chance in the 13th minute when he embarked on a great solo run and reached the final third zone of Mohammedan’s box, but as Kiyan Nassiri’s turn was slow, the opposition defender Hira Mondal read it and made a great interception to deal with danger.

While making multiple attacks, Mohun Bagan finally broke the deadlock in the 26th minute when India international Sahal Abdul Samad found the back of the net to give the Kolkata Giants the much-needed lead.

The new player in the Mohun Bagan squad, Chhangte, received the ball in the right half space of the D-Box and lobbed the ball towards Sahal Abdul Samad, who timed and gave a goal-facing direction to the ball with a thumping header to give the lead to the Green and Maroon Brigade.

Mohammedan Sporting Club came back from behind as they scored the equaliser, relying on Lalremsanga’s shot, with Kima providing an assist in the 43rd minute of the play.

Kima drove through the midfield, dribbled past 2-3 Mohun Bagan defenders and released a low, driven through pass to Lalremsanga, who converted the pass into the back of the net.

Sayan Banerjee helps Mohun Bagan to lift the CFL title

A dramatic second half unfolded as Mohammedan SC enjoyed good momentum in the first 10-15 minutes of the second half, where they also scored a penalty after Mohun Bagan’s goalkeeper Ghosh tackled a Mohammedan SC forward, providing them the golden opportunity, which was slotted calmly by Mahitosh Roy in the 62nd minute of the game.

With a man down, Mohun Bagan SG responded quickly when Sahal Abdul Samad scored his second goal of the day from another header in the 70th minute.

Manvir Singh climbed highest to cushion a magnificent header across the 6-yard area. Sahal Abdul Samad reacted instantly, snapping a second header toward the target.

After the equaliser, former East Bengal FC young prodigy Sayan Banerjee scored the third and most crucial goal with individual brilliance in the 74th minute, as his goal became the final nail in the coffin as Mohun Bagan broke the 8-year-long wait to win the CFL title.

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