ISL 2026-27: Mohun Bagan edges Odisha FC 3-2 as Lee Erwin’s late winner extends winning streak

Dejan Drazic scored twice as Mohun Bagan beat Odisha FC 3-2 with an 86th-minute winner by Lee Erwin, extending their streak to four wins and keeping them top of the ISL.

Updated : Nov 05, 2026 22:33 IST , CHENNAI - 5 MINS READ

Dejan Drazic scored twice as Mohun Bagan Super Giant beat Odisha FC 3-2 on Thursday. | Photo Credit: Mohun Bagan Super Giant/X

Mohun Bagan Super Giant maintained its position at the top of the standings with a thrilling 3-2 victory over a resilient Odisha FC in an ISL-13 fixture at the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday.

In a see-saw contest, Odisha twice fought back to restore parity twice after Mohun Bagan had taken the lead, but Lee Erwin’s 86th-minute strike eventually settled the issue in the host’s favour. All five goals came in the second half after a goalless opening period. Registering its third consecutive home win and fourth victory on the trot, Bagan tallied 12 points from five matches to stay on top while Odisha remained on two points from four.

Mohun Bagan made an early statement of intent, creating an opportunity in the very first minute when Lee Erwin’s effort was saved by Odisha goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari. The host continued to press and came close to breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute. Liston Colaco’s right-footed effort from the centre of the box narrowly missed the target, following a corner delivered by Subhasish Bose.

Odisha was not merely content with defending. Everton Nascimento tested Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith with a header in the 25th minute, but Kaith was equal to the task blocking the Brazilian forward’s attempt.

Tiwari remained Odisha’s busiest player, producing a string of impressive saves to keep his side in the contest. Erwin was denied again with an angled effort in the 36th minute, while Manvir Singh squandered a glorious opportunity two minutes later, shooting wide with the goalkeeper beaten and a gaping goal seemingly at his mercy. Liston also struck the upright with an effort from close range in the 44th minute.

ALSO READ | SAFF Championship 2026: India survives late scare to beat Pakistan 3-2 in tournament opener

The first half was also marked by controversy over two potential handball incidents involving Odisha defender Saurabh Bhanwala. In the 24th minute, Mohun Bagan appealed vociferously after Manvir’s attempted cross appeared to strike Bhanwala’s arm inside the box. Another appeal followed just before the interval when Erwin’s attempt was blocked by what again appeared to be Bhanwala’s outstretched hand. Referee Tejas Nagvenkar waved away both appeals, with the decisions likely to invite further scrutiny.

Tiwari reportedly made seven saves to keep Odisha at bay in the first half, while Kaith was called upon to deal with three counter-attacks from the visiting side. The breakthrough finally arrived immediately after the restart. In the 46th minute, Dejan Drazic collected Anirudh Thapa’s incisive through ball and finished with his left foot into the bottom-left corner to give Mohun Bagan the lead.

Odisha responded with determination and restored parity six minutes later. Winger Nihal Sudeesh whipped in a cross across the face of the Mohun Bagan goal, and Mahmoud Eid made no mistake with his finish past Kaith to make it 1-1.

The Mariners continued to dominate possession and search for another breakthrough. Tiwari was once again in the thick of the action, blocking Samir Zeljkovic’s effort from outside the box in the 64th minute. Mohun Bagan eventually regained the lead in the 73rd minute, with Drazic completing his brace. Substitute Lallianzuala Chhangte produced a delightful piece of dribbling on the right, beating his marker before cutting the ball back into the danger area. Drazic got a touch with his knee to divert the ball into the net and put the host 2-1 ahead.

ALSO READ | Raphinha signs new contract with Barcelona through 2030

Odisha refused to surrender after conceding for the second time. Five minutes later, a defensive mix-up proved costly for Mohun Bagan. Mehtab Singh’s attempted clearance struck defensive teammate Abhishek Singh and fell kindly for Everton, who was lurking nearby. The Brazilian seized the opportunity, unleashing a swerving right-footed shot from the left side of the box into the far corner to make it 2-2.

With the contest seemingly heading towards a draw, Mohun Bagan found one final push in the 86th minute. Subhasish Bose sent in a cross that was headed along by Anirudh Thapa. Odisha’s defence managed an initial clearance, but the rebound fell perfectly for Erwin, who made no mistake with an angled grounder to restore the host’s advantage. This time, there was no way back for Odisha.

The late strike ensured Mohun Bagan collected the full three points and extended its winning streak to four matches, reaffirming its credentials as the team to beat in the standings. Odisha, despite its spirited fightback and Tiwari’s outstanding goalkeeping, could not snatch a point that it fully deserved.