Shillong, August 17, 2026: NorthEast United FC showed the fighting spirit of champions as they came from behind to beat Shillong Lajong FC 5-2 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Monday.
The victory sent the defending champions into their fourth consecutive Durand Cup semi-final. It also kept their dream of winning the title for a third straight year firmly alive.
The Highlanders were staring at trouble at half-time. They had taken an early lead but went into the break 2-1 down.
Alaaeddine Ajaraie opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Redeem Tlang’s superb long pass released the Moroccan forward. Ajaraie showed great composure to beat the defender and finish past the goalkeeper.
Shillong Lajong hit back quickly. Figo Syndai equalised in the 20th minute with a clinical finish.
The home side then turned the game around. Jota raced through on goal in the 34th minute. He rounded Gurmeet Singh and fired home to make it 2-1.
NorthEast United, however, came out after the break with a completely different intensity.
The comeback began in the 55th minute. Etyan Jesus Gonzalez Morales finished a flowing move to level the score at 2-2.
Three minutes later, the Highlanders were ahead again. Ajaraie struck for the second time in the 58th minute. The turnaround was complete. NorthEast United had gone from trailing 2-1 to leading 3-2 in just three minutes.
Shillong tried to respond. But the momentum had firmly shifted. Ajaraie delivered the decisive blow in the 69th minute. Jithin MS found him in space and the Moroccan forward calmly completed his hat-trick. Jithin then joined the party in the 79th minute. He finished another sharp NorthEast United move to make it 5-2.
Four second-half goals had completely blown the quarter-final open. Despite the torrential rain and a spirited Shillong Lajong challenge, NorthEast United took control when it mattered most. Their experience and attacking quality proved decisive.
The Highlanders now march into the semi-finals for the fourth year in a row. They will join Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Sporting Club Delhi and East Bengal FC in the last four.
For the defending champions, the mission is clear. Three in a row is still very much on.
