EastBengal FC 0 (5 lost on penalty shootout to
Action of Super Cup final between East Bengal vs FC Goa. Pictures AIFF/BS News Agency.
Action of Super Cup final between East Bengal vs FC Goa. Pictures AIFF/BS News Agency.
FC Goa 0 (6)
Pinki Biswas, BS News Agency, Fatorda, Goa: FC Goa were crowned champions of the AIFF Super Cup for a record third time, after they defeated East Bengal FC 6-5 in a penalty shootout at the PJN Stadium, in Fatorda, on Sunday, December 7, 2025.
With both sides threatening to score on plenty of occasions, yet failing to find the net, even after extra time, the match went into the dreaded penalty shootout – the first time that that had ever happened in the final of the AIFF Super Cup. FC Goa captain Borja Herrera and Mohamad Basim Rashid missed their respective spot-kicks in regulation penalties. Kevin Sibille, captain Saul Crespo, Miguel Ferreira, and Anwar Ali scored their penalties for East Bengal, while Javier Siverio, Dejan Drazic, Muhammed Nemil, and David Timor found the net for FC Goa, sending the match to sudden death. Udanta Kumam and Sahil Tavora converted their penalties for the hosts, while for East Bengal, Hamid Ahadad scored, but PV Vishnu missed.
The AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 final ebbed and flowed both ways right from the start. The hosts, buoyed by the boisterous support from the stands, began well with a couple of set-piece opportunities early on, which the East Bengal defence eventually negotiated.
East Bengal, however, soon recovered their composure and began orchestrating chances. Their first opportunity came in the 12th when Ferreira was played in behind the defence and had just goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill to beat, but shot wide. Bipin Singh had a good day out wide and looked dangerous from the outset. His 20th-minute low centre from the left had the FC Goa defence gasping, but Mahesh Naorem’s miscued touch kept the scores level.
With the Red and Golds exploiting space on the flanks, Goa made some early changes – Udanta and Nim Dorjee Tamang replacing Boris Singh and Ronney Willson. The switch gave Goa some structure in the middle, as they began cancelling out East Bengal’s threat.
Mahesh had another couple of close chances at the end of the first half. He combined well with Bipin in the 43rd, as the latter centred a second time for Mahesh, who had his volley saved. In injury time, Hiroshi Ibusuki played Mahesh through on goal, but the East Bengal attacker was tracked down by Aakash Sangwan.
The momentum shifted after the change of ends, though only for a brief while. Goa came out of the blocks firing. Ayush Chhetri tried his luck from long range right after the restart, but saw his effort go over. Timor played Drazic through in the 49th minute, the latter being flagged offside.
The tides, on the west coast, shifted once more as East Bengal began mounting attacks in waves. Bipin, accurate as ever with his crosses, found both Miguel and Ibusuki inside the box around the hour mark, but their efforts were in vain.
The Red and Golds thought they had scored in the 74th minute, when PV Vishnu played a one-two with Ferreira, before unleashing a slap shot from inside the area. FC Goa goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari fumbled, as the ball hit him and looped perilously close to the goal-line. Tiwari, however, had the presence of mind to slap it away with his outstretched hand. Every East Bengal player, coach, and fan looked expectantly at the referee, hoping for the goal to be awarded, but their prayers were not answered.
That chance seemed to have jolted Goa to life. Brison Fernandes produced a thumping effort from long range that thudded the upright in the 77th minute. A minute later, Borja’s cross found Drazic unmarked beyond enemy lines, but the Serb miscued his header, sending it wide.
Old rivals East Bengal and FC Goa come up against each other in the final of the AIFF Super Cup 2025-26. Both teams have already clashed multiple times in the last few years and know each other's players and tactics very well. FC Goa are the defending champions and also the most successful side in the event with two titles to their credit. Meanwhile, East Bengal won the honour back in the 2024 season. At stake on Sunday will be a ticket to the AFC Champions League Two 2026-27 Preliminary Stage, which is also on the line for the finalists.