ISL 2024-25: Dimitri Petratos Nets Winner As Mohun Bagan SG Defend League Winners Shield To Make History

The Mariners reached 52 points to become the first team to defend the League title. Second-placed FC Goa have 42 points and can accumulate a maximum of 51 points even if they win all of their remaining encounters. Three points from here will take Mohun Bagan Super Giant to 52, thus guaranteeing the title for them.

The crowd had started to gather around the Salt Lake stadium with more than three hours to go. When the ‘Green and Maroon’ faithful inside, the players were welcomed with personalized theme songs as well as rapturous welcomes.

ISL 2024-25:The game got off to an even start with either team doing well in the opening exchanges. Mohun Bagan did have a couple of chances as Alberto Rodriguez’s long-range effort was well wide.Odisha FC too had a golden chance to take the lead when Rahul KP chased down a nervy Vishal Kaith, who almost lost possession but managed to ride his luck with the ball rolling behind for a goal-kick.

Come the 16th minute, Manvir Singh had his grounded yet powerful shot saved by Amrinder Singh as three minutes later, Hugo Boumous’s through ball in behind the defence found Rahul but the latter was thwarted by Kaith as his cross across the face of the goal with no one following up.

ISL 2024-25:There were shouts for a penalty from the home fans in the 28th when Jamie Maclaren was felled by Mourtada Fall.A long ball from Subhasish Bose was headed down into the path of Greg Stewart, who back-heeled the ball into his path and slipped in Maclaren. The Aussie forward tried to flick the ball past Fall but he got his feet twisted.

After the water break, the game got more physical with either team as the teams were stretched owing to end-to-end action.Manvir was lively down the right wing with Dorielton looking to run the channels. Tom Aldred and Rodriguez as well as Fall and Thoiba Singh doing well.

In added time at the end of 45, Mohun Bagan almost took the lead. Stewart did well when found a rebound ball at his feet inside the penalty area but his snapshot was stopped by Amrinder, who got down expertly well to his left. On the rebound, the Odisha FC keeper reacted promptly to get back up and stop Maclaren’s follow-up from a narrow-angle as Amrinder made sure it was goalless at the break.

ISL 2024-25:After the restart, Mohun Bagan appeared eager to get the opener. Apuia had his shot from distance blocked as Manvir’s header too missed the top corner while Liston’s long-range hit the first defender.At the hour mark, Manvir had the best chance of the game as he received the ball at his feet from Stewart but his turning shot slid agonisingly wide.

Mohun Bagan sensed they are getting close as Subhasish, Liston and Deepak Tangri tried their luck but could not make them count.Odisha too had a chance to get the lead in the 63rd minute Carlos Delgado flicked a free-kick to Fall unmarked at the far post but Kaith somehow managed to keep the ball out of the net.

Sergio Lobera decided to spring changes as Rohit Kumar and Jerry Mawihmingthanga replaced Puitea Isak Vanlalruatfela.Jose Molina decided to make substitutions of his own, Dimitri Petratos, Anirudh Thapa and Dippendu Biswas came in for Alred, Tangri and Asish Rai.

ISL 2024-25:In response, Mohun Bagan stepped up their desperation in search of a goal. Maclaren did well to get himself into the right position but just could not get a telling touch from multiple Manvir crosses.

A dinked pass from Stewart for Maclaren did not reach its intended recipient as Fall tackled the Mohun Bagan forward to the ground near the penalty area. The referee blew his whistle but pointed for a free-kick from the edge of the box. A war of words ensued as Fall got his marching orders with a straight red card

The resulting set-piece was hit straight into the wall as Mohun Bagan’t wait continued for the opening goal.Molina named reinforcements as Jason Cummings and Ashique Kuruniyan came in for Stewart and Liston. Lobera brought on more defensive reinforcements with Dorielton and Boumous making way for Raynier Fernandes and Narender Gahlot.

ISL 2024-25:Regulation time was up with the scoreline still reading goalless.

But Petratos had other plans. In the third minute of added time after 90, the maverick forward received the ball from Manvir inside the penalty box, turned and nestled the ball into the bottom left corner with an inch perfect shot. The Mariners, who had been holding their breath for the entire duration of the match, burst into celebration.

Petratos rushed over to the fans as the Mohun Bagan players as well as the bench rushed over to join him as the 56,997-strong crowd lit up crackers as songs rained down the stands.The remainder of the added minute almost did not matter. Mohun Bagan held on to their 1-0 lead to make history.