Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal Durand Cup 2026 Highlights: MBSG 1-0 EBFC At Full-Time | Sahal On Target As Mariners Win First Kolkata Derby Of The Season

Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal Durand Cup 2026 AS IT HAPPENED: Record 17-time champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant kicked off their 135th IndianOil Durand Cup campaign on a high note, claiming a hard-fought 1-0 victory over arch-rivals East Bengal FC in the opening Group A fixture at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) on Saturday.

Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal Durand Cup 2026 AS IT HAPPENED: Record 17-time champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant kicked off their 135th IndianOil Durand Cup campaign on a high note, claiming a hard-fought 1-0 victory over arch-rivals East Bengal FC in the opening Group A fixture at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) on Saturday.

In a tactical battle marking the club debuts of new head coaches Panagiotis Dilmperis (Mohun Bagan) and Antonio López Habas (East Bengal), both managers fielded all-Indian starting XIs. The Mariners controlled possession early on, registering ten attempts in the opening half, but East Bengal’s backline anchored by Anwar Ali kept the scoreline goalless at the break.

The breakthrough arrived in the 52nd minute. Attacker Kiyan Nassiri dispossessed Rohit Danu near the edge of the penalty box and whipped a low cross into the six-yard area, allowing Sahal Abdul Samad to tap into an open net.

East Bengal pressed fiercely for an equalizer late in the second half. New recruit Dani Ramírez hit the post, while goalkeeper Vishal Kaith made consecutive crucial saves against Vishnu P.V. and Mohamad Rashid to preserve the clean sheet and secure derby victory for the Mariners.