The famous Kolkata Derby gave fans another unforgettable night as East Bengal defeated Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) 3-2 in the Calcutta Football League (CFL) 2025, held at Kalyani Stadium.
This match was full of drama, emotion, and passion — everything that makes this rivalry so special. Despite Mohun Bagan’s strong fightback, it was East Bengal who stayed calm under pressure and walked away with three important points.
A Historic Derby Outside Kolkata
For the first time, the iconic clash between the two Kolkata giants was held outside the city, in Kalyani. But that didn’t stop thousands of fans from both sides from filling the stands and creating a high-energy atmosphere.
The game also had a local touch, with six local players in the two starting lineups. These boys grew up dreaming of this derby, and their effort showed in every tackle and every run.
East Bengal’s Early Dominance
East Bengal started strongly. In the 9th minute, Jesin TK scored after a beautiful move down the right wing. Sayan Banerjee and David Lalhlansanga combined well to create the goal, and Jesin made no mistake from close range.
Mohun Bagan looked disjointed in the first half. Their best chance came when Suhail Bhat almost scored after a great through ball, but his final touch was too heavy. Kiyan Nassiri hit the post on the rebound.
Before halftime, East Bengal doubled their lead. In the 43rd minute, Sayan scored after beating the offside trap and calmly finishing past the goalkeeper. It was 2-0 at the break, and East Bengal looked in full control.
Mohun Bagan’s Comeback
The Mariners came back strong in the second half. In the 55th minute, Leewan Castanha scored from close range after a corner to make it 2-1.
Then, in the 66th minute, Kiyan Nassiri showed his derby magic again. He scored a header from Leewan’s cross, making it 2-2. The Mohun Bagan fans erupted in celebration.
Lalhlansanga Seals the Win
But East Bengal didn’t let the momentum slip. Just minutes after conceding the equaliser, David Lalhlansanga scored with a sharp header from Aman CK’s cross. His goal made it 3-2 and brought East Bengal back in the lead.
Lalhlansanga almost scored again in the 82nd minute, but his shot went over the bar.
What This Win Means
This win is a big boost for East Bengal. They now have 8 points from 5 matches, while Mohun Bagan remain on 10 points from 6 games. It was Mohun Bagan’s first major setback of the season, and East Bengal’s biggest moment so far.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesin TK, Sayan Banerjee, and Lalhlansanga scored for East Bengal.
- Leewan Castanha and Kiyan Nassiri scored for Mohun Bagan.
- Provat Lakra stood out in East Bengal’s defense.
- Kalyani hosted its first-ever Kolkata Derby — and it delivered a thriller.
The passion, energy, and football on display proved once again why the Kolkata Derby is one of the best rivalries in the world.