East Bengal produced a stunning second-half performance to thrash NorthEast United 7-2 in the IFA Shield 2026 semifinal at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Monday, booking a final showdown against city rivals Mohun Bagan.
David Lalhlansanga was the star of the evening, completing a hat-trick as East Bengal overturned an early deficit and turned the contest into a one-sided affair. Chris Ikonomidis, Rohit Kumar, Alaaeddine Ajaraie and debutants Ake Loba and Lukasz Zwolinski also found the net as East Bengal powered into the final.
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NorthEast United made a dream start when Ajaraie opened the scoring in just the second minute. A mistake from East Bengal defender Diego Zivulic allowed Ajaraie to race through and round goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa before calmly finishing into an empty net.
East Bengal responded quickly. David restored parity in the 11th minute, heading an Ikonomidis cross over NorthEast United goalkeeper K. Mohanraj.
The turnaround continued in the 23rd minute when Rohit Kumar put East Bengal ahead. Dani Ramirez’s cross found the midfielder unmarked around the penalty spot, and Rohit sent a composed side-footed effort into the top corner.
East Bengal then extended its advantage just before half-time. In the 43rd minute, Ikonomidis capitalised on another defensive lapse from NorthEast United, collecting the ball before slotting it past Mohanraj to give the hosts a 3-1 lead at the break.
The second half began with another blow for the Highlanders. David scored within 30 seconds of the restart to make it 4-1, before completing his hat-trick in the 56th minute.
David’s third came after he received the ball inside the box and took advantage of poor marking to go past his defender before lifting a chip over the goalkeeper. The ball struck the underside of the crossbar before finding the net.
NorthEast United struggled to regain control as East Bengal continued to create opportunities. The visitors did pull one back through Alaaeddine Ajaraie in the 83rd minute, but it proved little more than a consolation.
East Bengal restored its four-goal advantage two minutes later when Ake Loba marked his debut with a fine volleyed finish after being picked out by Rashid.
There was still time for another debutant to get on the scoresheet. Lukasz Zwolinski added East Bengal’s seventh in the 90th minute, producing a composed finish to complete an emphatic victory.
The result sets up another Kolkata derby in the IFA Shield final, with East Bengal facing Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Mohun Bagan had secured its place in the final after edging Punjab FC 4-3 on penalties in the first semifinal.
East Bengal, the most successful team in IFA Shield history with 29 titles, will now aim to add another trophy to its record. The Red and Gold Brigade’s comeback against NorthEast United will give the team significant confidence heading into the final.
