Four years of waiting. Countless battles fought. And on a stormy evening at the Kalinga Stadium, FC Goa finally had their moment in the sun again.

The Gaurs clinched the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 in emphatic fashion, defeating Jamshedpur FC 3-0 in the final to lift their first trophy since 2021 – and their second Super Cup title after their maiden triumph in 2019.

In doing so, FC Goa became the first team in history to win the Super Cup twice. The win also secured them a spot in the AFC Champions League 2 playoff for next season, taking the Gaurs one step closer to a return to Asia.

This match further marked the final game in charge for head coach Manolo Marquez, who recently became the Club’s longest-serving manager in terms of matches. The win marked his 38th with the Gaurs in 62 games – the most by any coach in the Club’s history.

A final worth the wait

From the opening whistle, there was a sense that this Goa side had arrived with purpose. Jamshedpur began brightly as well, testing the waters with early efforts, but the Gaurs quickly took full control. Crisp passing, intelligent movement and sharp transitions soon tilted the tide in their favour.

In the 23rd minute, the breakthrough came. Aakash Sangwan unleashed a fierce effort from just outside the box that forced goalkeeper Albino Gomes into a save, but the rebound fell kindly. Borja Herrera was quickest to react, getting two bites at the cherry before slotting home to put his team ahead.

What followed was a showcase of style and precision. The Men in Orange, now purring, continued to carve open Jamshedpur’s defence, and early in the second half, Borja produced the goal of the night – and perhaps the tournament.

Receiving the ball deep, he drove forward under pressure before unleashing a ferocious long-range effort that soared into the top-right corner. Albino’s full-stretch dive was in vain, as the ball nestled into the net to double FC Goa’s lead.

Finishing with flair

Even with the comfortable two-goal cushion, the Gaurs didn’t let up. In the 72nd minute, Carl McHugh split the defence with a perfectly weighted through ball to Dejan Drazic, who stayed just onside, sprinted into the box, rounded the keeper and coolly slotted in the third.

It was the final flourish on a commanding display that reflected the dominance Manolo Marquez and his boys had shown throughout the competition.

Over the course of the tournament, FC Goa scored 11 goals and conceded just twice – an exhibition of all-round excellence. Borja Herrera finished as the joint top-scorer of the tournament alongside Iker Guarrotxena, with both netting four goals each.

As rain lashed down over the final few minutes, the Gaurs soaked it all in – figuratively and literally. Jamshedpur pushed for a late consolation, but Goa’s backline remained resolute, preserving the clean sheet and sealing a night of glory.