For days, Agartala had been abuzz with football fever, and as dusk fell, the Umakanta Mini Stadium transformed into a cauldron of chants, cheers, and anticipation.

The electrifying frenzy of the Durand Cup derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan at Kolkata’s Yuva Bharati Stadium found a spirited reflection in Agartala on Sunday evening.

The iconic rivalry came alive once again—this time through the clash of legends—as former stars of both clubs locked horns at the Umakanta Mini Stadium, much to the delight of thousands of football enthusiasts.

In a gripping finale, East Bengal edged past Mohun Bagan in sudden death, proving once more the enduring magic of the red-and-yellow brigade. The hero of the evening was none other than Alvito D’Cunha, whose dazzling display in the midfield earned him the ‘Man of the Match’ award.

Yet, victory was sealed by a duo of red-and-yellow warriors—goalkeeper Subhashish Chowdhury, with his stunning saves, and Saumik Dey, who netted the decisive sudden-death strike.

The presence of dignitaries—Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha, Sports Minister Tinku Roy, chairperson of Tripura Human Rights Commission Justice Arindam Lodh, Mayor Dipak Majumdar, and East Bengal secretary Rupak Saha—only heightened the grandeur of the occasion. From the stands, the cries of “East Bengal!” and “Mohun Bagan!” echoed in unison, turning the exhibition match into something more—a festival of football.

The opening half bore the relaxed rhythm of an exhibition game, yet sparks of brilliance from veterans like Alvito, Mehtab Hossain, Rahim Nabi, and Suley Musah rekindled memories of their prime.

Alvito’s magical left foot, in particular, drew roars of nostalgia from the crowd. But it was in the second half that East Bengal turned up the heat. With Alvito orchestrating play from the midfield, the red-and-golds launched a series of sharp attacks.

In the 64th minute, Amit Das’s thunderous strike rattled the crossbar, narrowly denying East Bengal a winner in regulation time.

With the match tied, penalties followed. The scoreboard read 3-3 at the end of the shootout, with Rafiq, Musah, and Alvito converting for East Bengal, while Lalram Puiya and Denson Devadas replied for Mohun Bagan. The drama reached its crescendo in sudden death: Dipankar Roy and Saumik Dey struck for East Bengal, while Snehasish Chakraborty kept Mohun Bagan alive. But when Siddiqui missed, the stadium erupted—East Bengal had triumphed 6(1)-5(1).

The contest, ably officiated by Tapas Debnath and Raktim Saha, concluded with a spirited prize distribution ceremony.

Tripura Sports Minister Tinku Roy, chairperson of Tripura Human Rights Commission Justice Arindam Lodh, Patron of Tripura Football Association Ratan Saha, TFA president Pranab Sarkar, secretary Amit Chowdhury were present and they handed over the glittering trophies to the champions and runners-up.

For the Tripura football fraternity, the evening was more than just nostalgia—it was a rehearsal for greater spectacles ahead. As the red-and-yellow confetti settled, one thing was certain: the East Bengal–Mohun Bagan rivalry remains timeless, and Agartala had just written its own unforgettable chapter in that legacy.