Durand Cup 2023: Mohun Bagan Defeats East Bengal to Lift Durand Cup Title

In a long-awaited showdown between Indian football giants, Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC battled fiercely for the Durand Cup 2023 title. The historic match, held at Kolkata's Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan with more than 60000 audience, ended with Mohun Bagan SG emerging victorious with a 1-0 triumph over East Bengal.

Both teams, boasting a remarkable 16 Durand Cup titles each, are no strangers to success in this prestigious tournament. Their last encounter in a Durand Cup final took place in 2004, with East Bengal FC securing a 2-1 victory. This win had tied them with Mohun Bagan SG's impressive tally.

However, this year, the tables turned. Before this epic showdown, East Bengal FC, under the guidance of head coach Carles Cuadrat, had shown remarkable growth and determination, with a significant 1-0 victory over Mohun Bagan SG in the group stage, marking their first Kolkata Derby win in four years.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant had a tough road to the final, finishing second in Group A and progressing to the quarter-finals as one of the top two second-placed teams. They overcame strong opponents like Mumbai City FC and FC Goa in the semifinal, ultimately earning their spot in the final against East Bengal FC.

Anwar Ali and Naorem Mahesh | Photo by Debjoy Biswas\PixelSports

The first half of the final remained goalless, setting the stage for a thrilling second half. Anirudh Thapa received a red card, reducing Mohun Bagan SG to 10 men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the match's intensity continued to rise.

In the 70th minute, Dimitri Petratos became the hero of the day as he scored the solitary goal of the match with a precise left-footed shot. This goal proved to be the decisive moment, earning Mohun Bagan SG the 132nd Durand Cup title.