Ten shots. Zero goals. That was Mohun Bagan’s entire first half against East Bengal — until seven minutes into the second, one simple tap-in was all it took to settle Asia’s oldest football rivalry for another year.
Table of Contents
Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal: Match Snapshot
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Tournament | 135th Durand Cup, Group A opener |
| Final Score | East Bengal 0 – 1 Mohun Bagan Super Giant |
| Goalscorer | Sahal Abdul Samad (2nd half, 7 minutes after restart) |
| Venue | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Salt Lake, Kolkata |
| East Bengal Head Coach | Antonio Lopez Habas (debut match) |
| Mohun Bagan Head Coach | Panagiotis Dilimperis (debut match) |
| Historic Head-to-Head (Before Match) | East Bengal 141 wins – Mohun Bagan 131 wins |
A First Half Built on Missed Chances
Mohun Bagan dominated the ball for long stretches of the opening 45 minutes, racking up ten attempts on goal to East Bengal’s two, but couldn’t find a breakthrough. A first-half shout for a penalty was waved away after a Sahal Abdul Samad effort struck an East Bengal defender’s arm — replays suggested contact, though the referee ruled the hand wasn’t in an unnatural position. East Bengal, for their part, defended resolutely, with Anwar Ali and Sandip Mandi holding the backline firm to keep things level at the break.
The Moment That Decided the Derby
Mohun Bagan carried their first-half momentum straight into the restart. Just seven minutes in, Kiyan Nassiri dispossessed Rohit Danu inside the box and squared a low cross across the six-yard area, where Sahal Abdul Samad had the simplest of finishes to tap home from close range. It was the only real moment of quality either side needed all match.
Two New Managers, One Old Rivalry
Both sides walked into this fixture under fresh management. Antonio Lopez Habas took charge of East Bengal after replacing Oscar Bruzon, while Panagiotis Dilimperis stepped in for Mohun Bagan following Sergio Lobera’s departure. Fittingly, both managers named all-Indian starting lineups for their competitive debuts — a symbolic touch for a fixture this steeped in history.
Vishal Kaith Seals It Late
East Bengal pushed for an equalizer as the match wore on, with Vishnu making promising runs down the left in stoppage time. But Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith produced a crucial late save to deny Rashid, ensuring the Mariners held on to open their Durand Cup campaign with three points.
FAQs
Who won the East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan Durand Cup 2026 opener?
Mohun Bagan Super Giant won 1-0, courtesy of a second-half goal from Sahal Abdul Samad.
Where was the match played?
At the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata.
