Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Mohun Bagan, East Bengal Clash Again in Durand Cup Final
East Bengal and Mohun Bagan will play each other again in the Durand Cup final.
Mohun Bagan won the teams’ first match 1-0.
East Bengal then won every game they played.
Both teams have scored many goals and allowed only one goal during the tournament.
Both sides also needed penalty shoot-outs to win their semi-finals.
Mohun Bagan want to win the trophy for the 18th time.
East Bengal want to win their 17th title and match their rivals’ total.
East Bengal are expected to defend patiently and try to attack quickly.
Mohun Bagan want to keep the ball, attack early and control the match.
Mohun Bagan defeated East Bengal 1-0 in the tournament opener through Sahal Abdul Samad’s second-half goal.
Mohun Bagan reached the final unbeaten, scoring 16 goals and conceding once in six matches.
East Bengal won every match after their opening defeat, scoring 14 goals and conceding once.
Both teams required penalty shoot-outs in their semi-finals to reach the final.
Mohun Bagan seek an 18th Durand Cup title, while East Bengal can draw level with their rivals on 17.
- Who
- East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
- What
- They will contest the Durand Cup final, their 13th meeting in a Durand Cup showpiece.
- When
- Sunday.
- Where
- Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
- Why
- East Bengal want to avenge their opening-match defeat, while Mohun Bagan seek another title and an 18th Durand Cup championship.
East Bengal’s Approach
Mohun Bagan’s Approach
Tactical plan
East Bengal’s Approach
Antonio López Habas has emphasized defensive organization, patience and counterattacks using pace out wide.
Mohun Bagan’s Approach
Panagiotis Dilmperis wants Mohun Bagan to commit players forward, control territory and maintain defensive solidity.
Match objective
East Bengal’s Approach
East Bengal want to correct their 1-0 opening defeat and use their ability to win difficult, low-scoring knockout matches.
Mohun Bagan’s Approach
Mohun Bagan want to impose their tempo early and finish the final within 90 minutes.
Key figures
East Bengal’s Approach
Mohammed Basim Rashid’s set pieces, PV Vishnu’s pace and Prabhsukhan Singh Gill’s penalty saves have supported East Bengal’s run.
Mohun Bagan’s Approach
Sahal Abdul Samad, Manvir Singh and Vishal Kaith have been central to Mohun Bagan’s goals and decisive moments.
- Opening derby
- Mohun Bagan won 1-0 through Sahal Abdul Samad’s second-half strike.
- Mohun Bagan campaign
- Unbeaten in six matches, with 16 goals scored and one conceded.
- East Bengal campaign
- Won every match after the opener, scoring 14 goals and conceding one.
- Final record
- The clubs have five Durand Cup final victories each, while two other finals ended with joint championships.
- Most recent final
- Mohun Bagan defeated ten-man East Bengal 1-0 in the 2023 final.
- Titles at stake
- Mohun Bagan have 17 Durand Cup titles and East Bengal have 16.
- Semi-final routes
- East Bengal beat Sporting Club Delhi on penalties, while Mohun Bagan defeated NorthEast United FC 4-3 in a shoot-out after a goalless match.
- Travel preparation
- Mohun Bagan had only one day between returning from their semi-final and playing the final after travel disruption linked to a strike in Shillong.
