East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan

The 2023 Durand Cup Final between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan was a thrilling affair, with the two Kolkata giants going toe-to-toe for 90 minutes. The match was goalless at halftime, but Mohun Bagan took the lead in the 71st minute through Dimitri Petratos. East Bengal pressed for an equaliser, but they were unable to break down the 10-man Mohun Bagan defense, and the match ended in a 1-0 victory for the Mariners.

The match was a physical affair, with both teams giving as good as they got. Mohun Bagan were reduced to 10 men in the 67th minute when Anirudh Thapa was sent off for a rash challenge. However, they defended resolutely in the final minutes to hold on for the win.

The victory was Mohun Bagan's first Durand Cup title since 2019, and it ended their four-year winless streak against East Bengal in the Kolkata Derby. It was also a sweet revenge for Mohun Bagan, who had lost to East Bengal in the group stage of the tournament.

The Durand Cup is one of the oldest football tournaments in Asia, and it is considered to be one of the most prestigious trophies in Indian football. The 2023 final was a fitting end to a memorable tournament, and it was a great advertisement for the Indian football scene.

Here are some of the key moments from the match:

In the 15th minute, Mohun Bagan had a chance to take the lead when Liston Colaco found himself in space in the East Bengal penalty area, but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Sankar Roy.

East Bengal had a chance to equalize in the 35th minute when substitute Daniel Chima Chukwu was played through on goal, but he was denied by Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Priyant Singh.

Mohun Bagan took the lead in the 71st minute through Petratos. The Australian midfielder received the ball on the edge of the East Bengal penalty area and fired a low shot into the bottom corner.

East Bengal pressed for an equaliser in the final minutes, but they were unable to break down the Mohun Bagan defense.

The match was a closely contested affair, and it could have gone either way. However, Mohun Bagan deserved their victory, and they will be hoping to build on this success in the upcoming
season