East Bengal beat Mohun Bagan 4-1 at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan to win 17th Durand Cup
East Bengal beat Mohun Bagan Super Giant 4-1 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Sunday to win the Durand Cup, with Edmund Lalrindika scoring a hat-trick as part of a dominant first-half display.
The victory ended East Bengal's 22-year wait for the trophy; the club's previous Durand Cup triumph came in 2004 when they defeated Mohun Bagan 2-1 in the final. The result also avenges East Bengal’s 0-1 loss to Mohun Bagan in the 2023 Durand Cup final, when the Mariners had claimed a record 17th title.
Antonio Lopez Habas’ side were incisive early, converting four times before the interval while captain Mohammed Rashid controlled midfield and played a key role in attacking moves. Mohun Bagan enjoyed greater possession and registered more attempts in the opening 45 minutes, but East Bengal were decisive in front of goal and repeatedly exposed gaps in the Mariners’ defence.
The scoring began in the 10th minute when Rashid won possession in the opposition half, shaped as if to shoot and then slipped the ball through to Bipin Singh; Bipin drilled a composed left-footed finish from inside the box past goalkeeper Vishal Kaith. Two minutes later Lalrindika doubled the lead, bursting forward on the counter and unleashing a powerful effort from around 20 yards that took a deflection off Kaith and found the net.
Lalrindika struck a second time in the 22nd minute, this time finishing into an empty goal after a build-up down the left. Hardik Bhatt picked up possession and fed Daniel Ramirez, who threaded the ball through to Lalrindika; the striker took a touch into the box, rounded the advancing Kaith and slotted the ball into the unguarded net.
Mohun Bagan reduced the deficit in the 33rd minute through Manvir Singh, offering a brief lifeline for the Mariners. East Bengal restored a three-goal cushion just before halftime when Rashid delivered a teasing cross to the far side, Jay Gupta arrived at pace and squared across the face of goal for Lalrindika to tap home in the 44th minute and complete his hat-trick.
After the interval Mohun Bagan held more of the ball but were unable to convert possession into clear scoring opportunities; East Bengal dropped deeper, maintained their shape and defended their lead to prevent a comeback. There were no further goals in the second half.
The win brings East Bengal level with Mohun Bagan on 17 Durand Cup titles apiece in the 135-year history of the competition. For Habas, who has guided ATK to two ISL titles and previously had a stint with Mohun Bagan, Sunday’s result saw him on the winning side of the Kolkata derby.
