Kolkata, August 19, 2026: EBFC booked their place in the final of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup after defeating SC Delhi 5-3 on penalties following a goalless draw at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Wednesday.
Goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill was the hero for EBFC. He saved Rodriguinho’s penalty during the match and then denied Juan Sebastian Peña in the shootout.
The semi-final began at a brisk pace. Both teams created openings but struggled to find the final touch.
East Bengal came close in the 16th minute. Mohamad Basim Rashid’s free-kick struck the crossbar. Jesin T.K. Thonikkara then hit the outside of the post with another effort.
SC Delhi received a golden chance in the 33rd minute. Rodriguinho was brought down inside the box, earning his side a penalty. However, Gill guessed correctly and made an excellent save.
The second half followed a similar pattern. East Bengal enjoyed more possession, while SC Delhi looked dangerous on the counter.
Rodriguinho nearly broke the deadlock soon after the restart. He raced into the box but Anwar Ali produced a superb sliding challenge to deny him.
East Bengal then came close again in the 73rd minute. Basim Rashid’s long-range effort took a deflection and struck the post.
Two minutes later, Christopher Ikonomidis created another major chance. His cutback found David Lalhlansanga, but SC Delhi goalkeeper Nora Fernandes made a crucial save.
Neither side could find a winner before the final whistle. The match therefore went straight to penalties.
East Bengal converted all five of their attempts. Anwar Ali, Rohit Danu, Lalchungnunga, Ikonomidis and Basim Rashid all found the net.
SC Delhi scored through Rodriguinho, Duvan Felipe and Mohammed Aimen. Peña’s earlier miss proved decisive.
Basim Rashid then stepped up and calmly converted the winning penalty to send East Bengal into the final.
East Bengal will face either Mohun Bagan Super Giant or defending champions NorthEast United FC in Sunday’s final.
The second semi-final will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on August 20.
