Durand Cup: Samad helps Bagan beat ISL champs East Bengal 1-0

Sahal Abdul Samad scored the only goal in the 53rd minute to give Mohun Bagan Super Giant a 1-0 win over East Bengal in the Durand Cup opener.

Samad, who made only five starts last ISL season, tapped in after Kiyan Nassiri dispossessed Rohit Kumar and set up the play.

The goal came as East Bengal tried playing out from the back and lost possession; Samad dedicated the goal to the team.

Both teams fielded all-Indian starting XIs, with several squad players seeking to impress new coaches Panagiotis Dilmperis and Antonio Lopez Habas.

The match kicked off the 135th Durand Cup and the 2026-27 season at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.