Guwahati: East Bengal beat arch-rivals Mohun Bagan 4-1 to win the Durand Cup for a record-equalling 17th time on Sunday, with Edmund Lalrindika scoring a hat-trick in a dominant final.
East Bengal made a strong start and scored four goals in the first half. Captain Mohammed Rashid played a key role in midfield, helping his team create several attacking opportunities.
Bipin Singh opened the scoring in the 10th minute after receiving an assist from Rashid. Lalrindika doubled the lead two minutes later before scoring again in the 22nd minute.
Mohun Bagan pulled one goal back through Manvir Singh in the 33rd minute, giving the Mariners some hope of a comeback.
However, East Bengal continued to control the game. Lalrindika completed his hat-trick in the 44th minute, with Rashid providing the assist once again.
East Bengal remained organised in the second half and did not allow Mohun Bagan to get back into the match.
The victory also gave East Bengal revenge for their 0-1 defeat to Mohun Bagan in the 2023 Durand Cup final.
With the win, East Bengal have equalled Mohun Bagan’s record of 17 Durand Cup titles. The two Kolkata clubs now have 17 titles each in the 135-year history of the tournament.