Kolkata, August 20: Mohun Bagan SG have moved into the Durand Cup 2026 final, beating NorthEast United FC in the penalty shootout as the regulation time match remained goalless. With a 4–3 scoreline, the Mariners sealed the game in Shillong on Thursday evening.
On a rainy day, the semi-final match was played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on a waterlogged pitch. On the sides of the eighteen-yard box, the water was logged, and the pitch was soggy throughout. Though the players have experienced playing in these kinds of situations many times before, however, the whole semi-final contest was played out in the same condition.
The game was very physical, as both teams got into challenges several times. Also, the match saw seven yellow cards. Coming into the game, both teams started playing attacking football, and in the 23rd minute, on the right flank, Abhishek Teckcham earned a free-kick. As it was from a long distance, it didn’t seem like it could directly hit the net, but Liston Colaco unleashed an on-target shot, though NorthEast United keeper Gurmeet Singh was alert to catch the threat.
In the 40th minute, Mohun Bagan SG almost hit the breakthrough. Liston Colaco sent a pinpoint pass from the left side of the box, which fell to Kiyan Nassiri and Manvir Singh, but Manvir didn’t make good contact with the ball.
In the 63rd minute, NorthEast United FC got their best chance of the match to take the lead. Rabeeh’s grounded pass from the right came inside the box between the gatherings, amid the presence of Etyan and Alaaeddine. Alaaeddine failed to put the ball into the net from close range.
And another decisive moment came when, in the 81st minute, Abhishek Teckcham’s challenge on Alaaeddine on the left side of the box gave the Highlanders a free-kick. From the promising position, substitute Ninkovic just sent the ball over the crossbar.
A tough contest where the Mariners’ side hit five on target from about ten shots but failed to brings the goal as the highlander’s defensive solidity and Gurmeet were alert. The NorthEast United side ended with zero shots on target, which also showed the defensive solidity of Mohun Bagan SG. And as per the scene the match headed into penalty shootout, like the first semi-final.
NorthEast United took the shot first, and Ninkovic brought the first goal. Rahul Bheke went and levelled the score 1–1 for Mohun Bagan SG. Alaaeddine came and hit on target, but it almost touched Vishal’s hands before going in. Subhashis Bose came and again levelled it 2–2.
Etyan made it 3–2 for NorthEast United FC. Liston Colaco made it on target for Mohun Bagan SG in the answer. But Robin came and missed the scoring as Vishal saved the shot. But Maclaren didn’t put Mohun Bagan SG 4–3 ahead. Parthib Gogoi stepped in, and his score could have kept NorthEast United in the game, but again Vishal Kaith made a save to end the game here in the name of Mohun Bagan SG.
Now, the one final challenge awaits on 23rd August, as their favourite rival, East Bengal FC, are already waiting for Mohun Bagan SG. The battle is on: can Mohun Bagan SG stretch their lead to 18 Durand Cup trophies, or will East Bengal FC level up to 17 trophies with the Green and Maroon?
Durand Cup 2026 (Semi Final 2) – NorthEast United vs Mohun Bagan SG highlights
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