Home / Sports / Lalrindika Hat-Trick Seals Durand Cup Glory for East Bengal
Lalrindika Hat-Trick Seals Durand Cup Glory for East Bengal
23 Aug
Summary
- Edmund Lalrindika scored a historic hat-trick in the Durand Cup final.
- East Bengal defeated rival Mohun Bagan 4-1 in the Bengal Derby.
- The victory ends East Bengal's 12-year wait for the Durand Cup trophy.
East Bengal secured the Durand Cup 2026 title on August 23, Sunday, defeating rivals Mohun Bagan 4-1 in a decisive Bengal Derby held at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium. This victory marks the end of a long 12-year wait for East Bengal, who last lifted the trophy in 2004. Their triumph also brings them level with Mohun Bagan at 17 Durand Cup titles each, a record in the competition's 135-year history.
Under the guidance of coach Antonio Lopez Habas, East Bengal delivered a commanding performance, especially in the first half. Edmund Lalrindika was instrumental, scoring a hat-trick, with assists from Mohammed Rashid and Jay Gupta. Bipin Singh also contributed a goal, giving East Bengal a commanding 4-1 lead by halftime. Mohun Bagan managed to pull one back through Manvir, but it was not enough to bridge the gap.
Habas's disciplined approach and tactical setup were evident throughout the match, establishing midfield coherence and defensive stability. This win is a significant achievement for East Bengal and validates Habas's immediate impact since taking over the squad.
