Edmund Lalrindika delivered a derby performance for the ages, scoring a hat-trick as East Bengal overwhelmed Mohun Bagan 4-1 on Sunday to lift their record-equalling 17th Durand Cup title and end a 22-year wait for the trophy. Antonio Lopez Habas’ men produced a devastating first-half display, scoring four times before the interval to leave their arch-rivals with a mountain to climb. Bipin Singh opened the floodgates before Lalrindika struck three times, while Manvir Singh’s effort proved little more than consolation for Mohun Bagan.
The triumph was particularly sweet for East Bengal, who had last lifted the Durand Cup in 2004 after beating Mohun Bagan 2-1. It also avenged their 0-1 defeat to the Mariners in the 2023 final. The two Kolkata giants now stand level with 17 titles each in the 135-year history of Asia’s oldest football tournament.
Derby turns red and gold
East Bengal took control almost immediately, with skipper Mohammed Rashid dictating proceedings from midfield and repeatedly opening up the Mohun Bagan defence.
The breakthrough arrived in the 10th minute. Rashid regained possession high up the pitch and initially shaped to shoot before finding Bipin inside the penalty area. The winger kept his composure and drove a left-footed finish beyond Vishal Kaith.
Mohun Bagan barely had time to recover before East Bengal doubled their advantage two minutes later. Lalrindika surged forward on the counter and unleashed a powerful effort from around 20 yards. A deflection off Kaith helped the ball into the net, giving the striker his first of an unforgettable evening.
The punishment continued in the 22nd minute. Hardik Bhatt began the move on the left and found Daniel Ramirez, whose pass released Lalrindika. The forward calmly took the ball around the advancing Kaith before rolling it into an empty net to make it 3-0.
Mohun Bagan finally found some respite through Manvir, who pulled one back in the 33rd minute. But any hopes of mounting a comeback were extinguished before half-time.
Rashid again played a crucial role, sending a dangerous delivery towards the far side of the penalty area. Jay Gupta raced onto it and squared the ball across goal, leaving Lalrindika with a simple finish to complete his hat-trick in the 44th minute.
East Bengal headed into the break 4-1 ahead, having effectively decided the final inside a remarkable opening 45 minutes.
Mariners find no way back
Mohun Bagan needed an extraordinary second-half response, but East Bengal refused to offer them a route back into the contest. Habas’ side dropped into a compact shape, protected the spaces in front of their defence and denied the Mariners the freedom they had desperately needed.
The defensive gaps that had plagued Mohun Bagan during the opening half had already proved too costly. Panagiotis Dilmperis’ side struggled to establish sustained control in midfield and could not generate the pressure required to threaten East Bengal’s commanding advantage.
For Lalrindika, deployed as the lone striker in place of Jesin TK, the final became a career-defining evening. His combination of movement, direct running and composure repeatedly exposed Mohun Bagan’s back line and ultimately decided the Kolkata derby on one of its biggest stages.
Habas haunts former club
The victory also carried special significance for Habas, whose career in Indian football has been closely intertwined with Kolkata.
The Spaniard previously guided ATK to Indian Super League titles in 2014 and 2019-20 and later enjoyed a successful spell with Mohun Bagan. On Sunday, however, he masterminded one of East Bengal’s most emphatic derby triumphs against his former club.
Taking over a revamped East Bengal following Oscar Bruzon’s departure, Habas has quickly imposed his methods on the side. Defensive organisation, midfield discipline and quick transitions have become central to their approach.
Those qualities were all on display in the final, but it was East Bengal’s ruthless attacking football in the opening half that transformed the night into a celebration for the Red and Gold faithful.
Twenty-two years after their previous Durand Cup triumph, East Bengal finally returned to the summit — and did so by beating their greatest rivals in emphatic fashion.