AIFF Super Cup 2025-26: FC Goa beat East Bengal on penalties in final for third title

AIFF Super Cup 2025-26: FC Goa beat East Bengal on penalties in final for third title

Fatorda: The Gaurs, which became the first club to defend the Super Cup title, also earned a spot in the AFC Champions League Two play-offs.

AIFF Super Cup 2025-26: FC Goa beat East Bengal on penalties in final for third title
The Gaurs, which became the first club to defend the Super Cup title, also earned a spot in the AFC Champions League Two play-offs.

FC Goa defended their title with a 6-5 penalty shootout win over East Bengal after a goalless extra-time draw in the AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 final at the JLN Stadium on Sunday.

Sahil Tavora struck the winning penalty to make the Gaurs three-time Super Cup champions and the first to successfully defend their crown as East Bengal failed to add to their 2024 triumph in the tournament.

With the win, FC Goa also earned a spot in the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Two play-offs.

Kolkata football heavyweights East Bengal had the first big chance of the game in the 12th minute when Miguel Figueira was set through on goal with a ball over the top, only for the Brazilian midfielder to narrowly miss the target.

Bipin Singh produced another chance from the left for East Bengal five minutes later after he put in a low cross into the middle towards Mahesh Singh Naorem, who failed to make the most of the opportunity.

FC Goa grew into the game towards the end of the half with Dejan Drazic weaving his way past defenders near the edge of the box before laying the ball off to David Timor, whose first-time effort sailed way over the goal.

East Bengal had another chance to open the scoring two minutes before the break when Bipin Singh put in another cross from the left into the box. However, Mahesh Singh Naorem’s first-time volley was comfortably saved as both teams went into half-time without breaking the deadlock.

The Red and Gold brigade had a couple of opportunities to score the opening goal early in the second half through Borja Herrera, who miscued his first attempt and then headed wide of the target with his second effort.

They had another opportunity soon after the hour mark when a cross from Bipin found an unmarked Hiroshi Ibusuki, who headed the ball into the goalkeeper’s hands.

East Bengal substitute Vishnu PV was played through in the 74th minute. He managed to keep his attempt on target and although Hrithik Tiwari initially spilt it, the Goa custodian recovered in time to scoop the ball off the goal line.

The Gaurs also came close four minutes later with a Brison Fernandes shot from the edge of the box that rattled the post.

They hit the woodwork again moments later after Pol Moreno’s long clearance took an awkward dip toward the East Bengal goal, forcing Prabhsukhan Singh Gill to tip the ball onto the crossbar as neither side managed to score in regulation time.

Following a quiet first period of extra time, the Gaurs carved out a chance in the second when Prabhsukhan Singh Gill spilt a long-range effort. However, the East Bengal goalkeeper recovered in time to block Javier Siverio’s point-blank follow-up.

Neither of the Indian Super League sides managed to create any more clear-cut chances for the rest of the half as the final headed into penalties.

Both teams managed to convert four out of their first five penalties, with FC Goa’s Borja Herrera and East Bengal’s Mohammed Rashid missing their attempts.

The two teams went on to net their next penalties before East Bengal’s PV Vishnu missed his effort, paving the way for Sahil Tavora to score the winning penalty for the Gaurs.