Mohun Bagan Super Giant tightened its grip at the top of the Indian Super League (ISL) standings with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bengaluru FC at the Salt Lake Stadium on Monday. A stunning 74th-minute volley from Liston Colaco proved to be the decisive moment in the tightly contested clash.
The Mariners secured their 12th league win of the season, bringing their points tally to 40 from 18 matches. This result extended their lead at the summit to seven points over second-placed FC Goa, which has a game in hand. Bengaluru FC, on the other hand, remains in third place with 28 points from 18 matches after suffering their fourth loss in five outings.
The game began with Bengaluru FC dictating the tempo, as their captain Sunil Chhetri created two promising chances in the first half. In the 18th minute, Chhetri attempted a shot on the turn, narrowly missing the target. Bengaluru maintained control through quick wing play and frequent forays into Mohun Bagan’s defensive third but failed to capitalize on their dominance.
Chhetri came close again during first-half stoppage time, but his finishing let him down once more. The combination of Ryan Williams, Alberto Noguera, and Nikhil Poojary spearheaded Bengaluru’s attacking strategy, securing a larger share of possession and testing the Mariners’ defense.
Mohun Bagan, despite having limited control of the ball, relied on counter-attacks to create opportunities. Their moment of brilliance arrived in the 74th minute when Liston Colaco latched onto a loose ball just outside the Bengaluru box and unleashed a sensational volley, leaving goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu helpless.
The Blues pushed hard for an equalizer in the closing moments. Bengaluru’s Rahul Bheke nearly leveled the score in the dying seconds with a header off a corner, but his effort sailed inches over the crossbar, sealing another frustrating night for the visitors.
Mohun Bagan’s victory solidifies their position as ISL title favorites, showing their ability to grind out results even against tough opponents. Bengaluru FC, meanwhile, faces mounting pressure to regain form with the playoff race heating up.
With just two rounds of the league stage remaining, the Mariners will look to maintain their momentum, while Bengaluru must regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks.
