Petratos’ Last-Minute Heroics Secure ISL League Shield for Mohun Bagan


Dimitri Petratos—the beloved star of Mohun Bagan. He was exceptional last season, but this time, after struggling with injuries, he found it difficult to score. He kept trying but couldn’t find the net. However, when it mattered the most, it was Petratos’ goal that won Mohun Bagan the ISL League Shield. Scoring in stoppage time, he sealed the championship for his team. The entire match had been a tense battle, but in the dying moments, the Green-and-Maroon fans finally had a reason to celebrate. Mohun Bagan clinched the ISL League Shield for the second consecutive year, defeating Odisha FC at home to become the best team in India. With two matches still remaining, they were crowned champions.

The significance of this victory was evident in head coach José Molina’s reaction. Usually composed, Molina could not contain his emotions after the final whistle. His rare display of jubilation showed just how much this win meant to him.

As soon as referee Harish Kundu blew the final whistle, the celebrations escalated. Petratos had tears in his eyes, struggling to believe that his goal had secured the championship. Fans, too, were overwhelmed with emotion, celebrating their club’s success with teary eyes. Players’ wives and girlfriends rushed onto the pitch to join in the celebrations. Petratos was lifted onto the shoulders of his teammates, with Subhasish Bose and Greg Stewart leading the charge to honor their match-winning hero.

Mohun Bagan finished the league stage with 52 points from 22 matches, but they will have to wait until March 8 to officially lift the Shield at their final home game at the Yuba Bharati Stadium.

Right from kickoff, Mohun Bagan was aggressive in their approach. Coach Molina paired Greg Stewart with Jamie Maclaren in the attack, and the team came close to scoring multiple times in the first half. However, forward Manvir Singh missed several easy chances. Despite their dominance, the breakthrough didn’t come, and both teams went into halftime with the score locked at 0-0.

The second half followed the same pattern, with Mohun Bagan relentlessly attacking while Odisha FC remained completely defensive, focused only on protecting their goal. Frustrated by the lack of goals, Molina brought on Petratos and Jason Cummings, going all-out in attack. Even then, the deadlock remained unbroken.

In the 84th minute, Odisha’s defender Mourtada Fall fouled Maclaren just outside the box and was shown a red card, reducing his team to ten men. The numerical advantage finally paid off in stoppage time when Petratos unleashed a stunning long-range strike from outside the box, sending the stadium into wild celebrations. The players donned "Champions" T-shirts and took a victory lap, celebrating their triumph with the ecstatic fans.

For the first time in ISL history, a team has crossed the 50-point mark in a season. Mohun Bagan still has two matches left, but their job isn’t done yet. Last season, despite winning the League Shield, they failed to capture the ISL Cup. This time, Molina wants both trophies. His determined expression after the game made it clear—Mohun Bagan is not stopping until they win the double.


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