Bipin Singh wins it late as Mumbai beat ATKMB to clinch maiden ISL trophy

Vipin Pawar / Sportzpics for ISL

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Bipin Singh pounced on a goalkeeping error in the 90th minute to help Mumbai City FC to a dramatic 2-1 win over ATK Mohun Bagan in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2020-21 final in Goa on Saturday. Sergio Lobera's side thus became only the second side in ISL history to clinch the title after winning the league stage. Carles Cuadrat's Bengaluru FC were the only other side to do it during the 2018-19 season.

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Mumbai had an early penalty shout turned down when Bipin Singh was challenged in the box by Pritam Kotal, but ATKMB were the more dominant side through the first half. The first real threat came from a Javier Hernandez free-kick which brushed the crossbar. Roy Krishna then forced a save from Amrinder Singh from a tight angle.

ATKMB's high press helped them take the lead in the 18th minute, when Krishna dispossessed Ahmed Jahouh just outside the box and slipped a pass to David Williams. The Australian got on to his stronger right foot and fired a firm shot past Amrinder Singh.

Antonio Habas' side had several more chances to extend their advantage in the half, but an error of judgment from defender Tiri let Mumbai back in. Jahouh played a long ball from his own half trying to find Bipin, making a run toward the Kolkata box. Tiri misjudged the flight of the ball and his attempted headed clearance landed in his own goal beyond a backtracking Arindam Bhattacharya.

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While ATKMB continued to create more chances and had more attempts, Mumbai were much more incisive in the second half. Raynier Fernandes forced a big save from Arindam after breaking into the area and skipping past a couple of challenges. The Bagan keeper produced another fine save to deny Hernan Santana from a free-kick.

The best chance of the second period came to Hugo Boumous, after Arindam managed to block Le Fondre's shot and the rebound traveled to the Spaniard, but the Frenchman blasted his effort over.

Bagan thought they had equalised when when Hernandez's freekick was deflected into the net off Mohamad Rakip, but the linesman deemed Krishna was in an offside position and interfering with play.

In the dying moments, it was an Arindam error that cost his team the title. After failing to deal with a long ball properly, Arindam found himself one-on-one against Bartholomew Ogbeche, who then found Bipin, who made no mistake from close range.

While ATKMB end the season without a trophy, they still get an AFC Cup playoff slot by virtue of finishing second in the league stage.