That's a wrap for our coverage of the first Kolkata derby of the 2026-27 season. It's the Mariners who get bragging rights to start off. Let's hope we get to see both sides square off in this Durand Cup in the latter stages! 

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East Bengal had a much better second half, and ultimately created 12 chances compared to Mohun Bagan's nine. East Bengal dominated possession too. But the finishing touches were lacking on most occasions, while they also hit the post and were then denied by Vishal Kaith. East Bengal will now need to win both their remaining group games to have a good shot at qualifying as one of the best second-placed teams.

FULL TIME! Mohun Bagan beat East Bengal! Sahal Abdul Samad's goal in the 53rd minute is the decider. East Bengal gave it their all in the second half, but failed to find the back of the net, even hitting the post once. A crucial victory in Group A for Mohun Bagan. Remember, only the group-toppers have guaranteed qualification to the knockout stage.

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90 minutes are done, we will have five more minutes of injury time at the end of the second half. East Bengal have certainly created more chances since Mohun Bagan's goal, but they've not managed to find the back of the net yet.

A cross from the left towards Rashid, who shoots at goal from a tight angle, but Mohun Bagan's lead is preserved by a fine save from Vishal Kaith!

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Oh, so close! A lovely cross in from the left wing, Dani Ramirez in the box manages to get his foot onto the ball, but it comes off the left post of the Mohun Bagan goal! 

Moments later, East Bengal appeal for a handball as Mohun Bagan's clearance comes off another Bagan player, but the referee denies.

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East Bengal are creating a few chances, but the final cutting edge is lacking. Both sides have not been effective in the final third today. Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan take Liston Colaco off, and bring on Spanish centre-back Alberto Rodriguez. A defensive change.

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Edmund nearly went through on goal but Mohun Bagan captain Subhasish Bose brings him down with a strong challenge. A tactical foul. Subhasish gets away with a yellow.

From the free-kick, Dani Ramirez floats in a good cross to the back post, a header down by Lalchungnunga, but Mohun Bagan manage to block it just in front of the goalline!

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East Bengal ramping up their efforts to come back into the game, as they bring on their new Spanish signing Dani Ramirez. The 34-year-old midfielder is a Real Madrid academy product, and spent several years in La Liga with Valencia and Getafe!

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Interesting substitutions! Mohun Bagan manager Dilmperis has taken off both his goalscorer and assist-provider. Off go Sahal Abdul Samad and Kiyan Nassiri, on come Deepak Tangri and overseas star Dejan Drazic.

East Bengal have also brought on star midfielder Mo Rashid.

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GOOOOAAAAALLLLLL! Mohun Bagan lead in the derby! Kiyan Nassiri at the heart of the build-up, skips away from a challenge and then cuts it in from the right. A lovely cross, bypasses all the East Bengal defenders and Sahal Abdul Samad taps it into the back of the net!

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Massive opportunity for Mohun Bagan less than two minutes into the second half. A diagonal ball is brought down on the left by Liston, who cuts it back in but East Bengal manage to defend. The linesman's flag goes up; not sure whether it's for offside or a potential handball by Liston.

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We are back! The second half is underway in the Kolkata derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. A packed out crowd at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan is still waiting for the opening goal. Here we go!

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Seems like there's a half-time show going on at the VYBK! A few singers are getting the crowd going during the break. Queen's legendary song 'We Will Rock You' is being sung, and the crowd is joining in too!

Mohun Bagan have enjoyed slightly more possession than East Bengal, 52% to 48%. In terms of shots, Mohun Bagan lead 10-2. East Bengal are yet to have a shot on target, while Bagan managed two on goal. In terms of chances created, Bagan lead 6-2.

HALF TIME! It's still goalless between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in the Durand Cup Kolkata derby. 10 shots for Mohun Bagan, but possession almost evenly shared. Chances at both ends, but the first goal is yet to come. 

Stay tuned for the second half!

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We are into the final minute of the first half and Mohun Bagan win a free-kick on the edge of the East Bengal box. Thapa is fouled by Edmund, who receives a yellow card. Dangerous area, can Bagan take advantage? It will be Liston Colaco to take.

Liston's free-kick takes a deflection and goes out!

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First yellow card of the match is dished out to Mohun Bagan winger Kiyan Nassiri, for a foul. Moments later, an innovative throughball from the deep by Bagan, and East Bengal defender Sandip Mandi makes a crucial block before the pass could reach the striker.

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Great chance for the men in red and gold! East Bengal go through on goal as David Hmar latches on to a lovely pass from the midfield. David cuts in, feints past a defender and then shoots, but his effort is blocked! Great chance for East Bengal.

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Mohun Bagan see a penalty appeal turned down by the referee! A cross from the right by Manvir is met by Sahal on the left of the box. Sahal takes a shot, but it's blocked by an East Bengal defender. Sahal vehemently appeals for handball, but the referee waves play on.

On replay, the ball did seem to strike the arm of the East Bengal defender, but it can be argued that the hand wasn't in an unnatural position.

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A bright spell for East Bengal now, with Bipin Singh heavily involved on the right wing. A low cross from him is cleared away, the move builds back up to Bipin again, but Mohun Bagan put in some good defending on the far side.

Moments later, Bipin swings in a left-footed aerial cross towards the far post, but it's just beyond the man in the box.

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A potential break for Mohun Bagan as Kiyan Nassiri drives forward down the right wing with space in front. Kiyan delivers a low cross into the box, but East Bengal manage to defend it. Mohun Bagan ultimately manage a shot, but it's easy for Prabhsukhan Gill.

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While there haven't been any clear-cut chances so far, both teams are moving the ball quickly and looking to go on the front foot. Mohun Bagan a bit more so than East Bengal at the moment.

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Mohun Bagan have won a free-kick on the left wing. Anirudh Thapa and Liston Colaco line up, but Thapa ultimately leaves it for Liston to take. Mohun Bagan's No. 7 goes for goal but slams it over the bar!

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WE ARE LIVE! It's kickoff at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. It is a clash of the Indian players in both teams, with no overseas players in either starting XI. East Bengal are attacking from right to left. Here we go!

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Both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have new head coaches heading into the 2026-27 season. Mohun Bagan have Greek Panagiotis Dilmperis at the helm, while East Bengal have appointed ex-MB manager Antonio Lopez Habas!

We are less than 10 minutes away from kickoff at the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Salt Lake, Kolkata. We are going to have the customary army march ahead of the clash. The players are about to enter the pitch!

And here's the East Bengal starting XI that will take on Mohun Bagan today in the derby.

The two sides have met more than 20 times in the tournament, East Bengal holding a narrow edge, and contested a dozen Durand Cup finals between them, the most recent in 2004, with East Bengal winning six to Mohun Bagan's four and two shared. It was in this very fixture, in 2023, that the record champions finally broke a 23-year wait for the trophy, beating their old rivals 1-0 in the final to claim that 17th title. Few rivalries anywhere carry quite this kind of built-in tension.

Your chosen XI for the biggest game #MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/cvOnB3NVLA

— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) July 25, 2026

The Mariners will walk into the tournament as the most decorated club, with 17 Durand Cup titles -- a tally unmatched in the history of the event. The Red and Gold Brigade trail by the width of a single trophy, 16 to their name, close enough that every fresh meeting between the two feels like a chance to close the gap or stretch it.

Another chapter will be added to the oldest rivalry when East Bengal FC take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the Kolkata Derby on Saturday as the two Kolkata giants open the 135th Durand Cup at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. Asia's oldest football tournament could not have picked a bigger fixture to mark the occasion, handing its very first whistle of the season to the rivalry that defines Indian club football.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Durand 2026 opener between the arch-rivals East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, straight from the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.