Mohun Bagan beat NorthEast United on penalties to reach Durand Cup final in Shillong

Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated NorthEast United FC 4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the Durand Cup 2026 semi-final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong on Thursday, August 20, 2026, with goalkeeper Vishal Kaith saving two spot kicks.

Despite controlling the majority of possession, Mohun Bagan failed to score in regulation time and were limited to five shots on target while NorthEast United registered zero efforts on goal; the stalemate forced extra time and ultimately a penalty shootout.

Liston Colaco, handed significant attacking responsibility by Dilmpieris Panagiotis and noted in the preview for having scored five past NorthEast previously, entered the semi-final without a goal in the tournament, saw an early shot saved and produced a largely subdued performance before converting his penalty, which the report says went through Gurmeet Singh’s grasp.

Mohun Bagan’s defence was marshalled by Rahul Bheke, who covered for Alberto Rodriguez when the latter pushed forward and produced a last-ditch tackle on Alaeddine Ajaraie in the second half; NorthEast’s experienced Eneko Satrustegui was credited with neutralising Manvir Singh and keeping Jamie Maclaren quiet while winning key duels and making crucial clearances.

Alaeddine Ajaraie arrived in the semi-final on the back of nine goals in four games, including hat-tricks against Bodoland and Shillong Lajong, but the Moroccan was largely subdued in the final third on Thursday and only contributed in the shootout by converting his spot kick.

Vishal Kaith, who conceded two goals and failed to produce penalty-saving heroics in the 2024 Durand Cup final at the Salt Lake Stadium, produced two decisive saves in the shootout after having also saved penalties against Jamshedpur FC in the quarterfinal; in Shillong he denied Parthib Gogoi and Robin Yadav.

The match ended 0-0 after regulation, Mohun Bagan prevailed 4-3 in the shootout as NorthEast’s Robin Yadav and Parthib Gogoi missed their penalties, and Mohun Bagan’s victory sets up a Durand Cup final against East Bengal FC at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Sunday, August 23, 2026.