East Bengal FC defeated Mohun Bagan Super Giant 4-1 in the Durand Cup 2026 final at Kolkata, clinching their 17th title thanks to an Edmund Lalrindika hat-trick.
Kolkata Derby Delight: Red & Gold Brigade Dominate the Final
East Bengal FC produced a masterclass performance to dismantle arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant 4-1 in a thrilling final of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Sunday.
Powered by a sensational first-half hat-trick from Edmund Lalrindika and an early strike from Bipin Singh, the Red and Gold Brigade lifted the coveted silverware for a record-equaling 17th time.
The high-octane Kolkata Derby lived up to its historic hype, but East Bengal stamped their authority from the opening whistle. The electric atmosphere inside the packed Salt Lake Stadium set the stage for an unforgettable evening of football, as East Bengal emphatically matched Mohun Bagan’s all-time tournament record. See also: East Bengal Beat SC Delhi 5-3 on Penalties to Reach Durand Cup Final
Blistering Start Stuns the Mariners
East Bengal wasted no time asserting control over the contest, launching relentless attacks down the flanks. The breakthrough arrived in the 10th minute when Bipin Singh found space inside the box and calmly slotted the ball past the Mohun Bagan goalkeeper.
Before the Mariners could regroup, East Bengal struck again just sixty seconds later. In the 11th minute, Edmund Lalrindika capitalized on a defensive lapse to double the lead, sending the East Bengal supporters into absolute raptures. The rapid two-goal burst completely threw Mohun Bagan off rhythm, forcing them into early tactical adjustments.
The Edmund Lalrindika Show
The evening belonged entirely to Edmund Lalrindika, who delivered one of the finest individual performances seen in modern Durand Cup history. In the 22nd minute, the dynamic forward struck his second goal of the match with a clinical finish into the bottom corner, making it 3-0 for East Bengal.
Mohun Bagan fought back briefly to restore some pride. In the 33rd minute, Indian forward Manvir Singh pulled one back with a sharp, well-taken strike to give the green-and-maroon faithful a glimmer of hope. However, any hopes of a dramatic comeback were extinguished right before the interval. In the 44th minute, Lalrindika completed a historic first-half hat-trick with an exquisite finish, securing a commanding 4-1 lead before halftime.
Resolute Defense and Historic Glory
The second half saw Mohun Bagan push forward aggressively to reduce the deficit, throwing bodies into the final third and testing East Bengal’s defensive shape. However, East Bengal remained remarkably disciplined and compact. The backline held firm, neutralizing every counterattack and aerial threat with composure.
As the referee blew the final whistle, celebrations erupted across the stadium. The victory sealed a historic 17th Durand Cup championship for East Bengal, putting them level with Mohun Bagan as the most successful clubs in the tournament’s illustrious history. It was a complete team performance built on tactical precision, lethal finishing, and relentless determination on Indian football’s biggest stage.