East Bengal FC Reach 135th Durand Cup Final After Dramatic Shootout Win Over SC Delhi
By Suman Munshi | IBG NEWS
Kolkata, August 19, 2026: East Bengal FC booked their place in the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup final after overcoming SC Delhi in a tense penalty shootout at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Wednesday. The semi-final finished goalless after 90 minutes, before East Bengal held their nerve to secure a 5–4 victory on penalties.
The contest produced little between the sides in terms of the final score, but the match was packed with attacking moments, defensive interventions and outstanding goalkeeping.
Gill provides the breakthrough moment
SC Delhi had an excellent opportunity to take control in the first half when they were awarded a penalty following a challenge inside the East Bengal area. Rodriguinho stepped up, but East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill made an outstanding save to preserve the deadlock.
Gill’s intervention proved crucial.
East Bengal also came close several times. Basim Rashid’s dangerous free-kick struck the crossbar, while Jesin T.K. Thonikkara and other East Bengal attackers created further openings. SC Delhi’s defence, however, managed to withstand the pressure.
The Delhi side remained threatening on the counter, with Rodriguinho frequently testing the East Bengal backline. Anwar Ali and his defensive colleagues produced several timely challenges to prevent SC Delhi from turning their counter-attacks into goals.
Woodwork denies East Bengal
The second half continued in much the same fashion.
East Bengal enjoyed periods of greater possession and attempted to build attacks through midfield, while SC Delhi looked for opportunities on the break.
East Bengal came particularly close in the 73rd minute when another Basim Rashid effort took a deflection and struck the post. It was the third occasion during the match that East Bengal had been denied by the woodwork.
SC Delhi goalkeeper Nora Fernandes also played an important role, producing an excellent save to deny David Lalhlansanga after the East Bengal forward found space inside the penalty area.
Despite sustained efforts from both teams during the closing stages, neither could find the decisive goal.
Penalty shootout decides the semi-final
With the score still 0–0 at the end of regulation time, the semi-final was decided from the penalty spot.
East Bengal began confidently, with Anwar Ali converting their opening penalty. SC Delhi’s Juan Sebastian Peña was unable to respond as Gill again produced a crucial save.
East Bengal maintained their composure through the remaining kicks, while SC Delhi kept themselves in contention with successful conversions.
With the pressure reaching its peak, East Bengal captain Mohammed Basim Rashid stepped forward for the decisive kick.
He calmly found the net to complete the shootout victory and send East Bengal into the Durand Cup final.
East Bengal one step away from another Durand Cup triumph
The result takes East Bengal into the championship match, where they will face the winner of the second semi-final between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and defending champions NorthEast United FC.
The final is scheduled for August 23, 2026.
For East Bengal, the victory represents another opportunity to add to their historic Durand Cup record. The club last lifted the prestigious tournament in 2004, and the Red and Gold Brigade will now be hoping to end their long wait for another title.
The semi-final also highlighted two important strengths for East Bengal—Gill’s ability to perform under pressure and the team’s composure in a knockout situation.
After 90 minutes without a goal, it was ultimately the goalkeeper’s heroics and Rashid’s decisive finish that carried East Bengal across the line.
Match Summary
135th IndianOil Durand Cup – Semi-final
SC Delhi: 0
East Bengal FC: 0
Penalty Shootout: East Bengal FC won 5–3
Venue: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
East Bengal hero: Prabhsukhan Singh Gill
Decisive penalty: Mohammed Basim Rashid
Final: August 23, 2026
All 43 matches of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup are being broadcast live on Sony Sports Network and streamed on SonyLIV.
