Salt Lake Stadium witnessed a footballing spectacle as NorthEast United FC dismantled debutants Diamond Harbour FC 6-1 in the Durand Cup 2025 final, sealing back-to-back titles and etching their name into tournament history. The emphatic win showcased a blend of composure and ruthlessness that left their opponents chasing shadows by the final whistle.
A historic night in Kolkata
NorthEast United’s triumph marked the first successful Durand Cup title defence in 34 years, reviving a feat last seen during East Bengal’s run between 1989 and 1991. The champions dictated proceedings throughout, blending patient build-up with decisive finishing.
For Diamond Harbour, who had lit up the tournament with their fairytale run to the final, the night was a harsh step up against a side brimming with experience and depth.
The scoring began on the half-hour mark when Asheer Akhtar’s effort broke the deadlock. Just before the interval, Parthib Sundar Gogoi doubled the advantage with a composed strike, giving the holders a commanding two-goal lead. Shortly after the restart, Thoi Singh added a third, further tightening their grip on the contest.
Diamond Harbour briefly mounted a response when Luka Majcen redirected a header in the 68th minute, sparking hopes of a late comeback. But those hopes faded quickly as NorthEast United turned relentless in the final 10 minutes.
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Jairo Samperio restored the cushion in the 81st minute, followed by Andy Rodríguez, who slotted home in the 85th. Deep into stoppage time, Alaaeddine Ajaraie was felled inside the box, and he calmly converted the resulting penalty to complete a 6-1 demolition and secure his side’s historic defence of the trophy.
Stars, records, and an unbeaten run
The final also celebrated individual brilliance. Ajaraie finished the tournament as both Golden Boot winner, with eight goals, and Golden Ball honouree for his influential attacking displays. Goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh claimed the Golden Glove for a second straight year, underlining the team’s all-round strength. Their unbeaten journey to the title included a professional semi-final victory over Shillong Lajong and showcased the tactical assurance of manager Juan Pedro Benali.
Diamond Harbour’s campaign, though ending in heartbreak, remained one of the tournament’s most captivating stories. Under coach Kibu Vicuña, the young club defeated East Bengal 2-1 in the semi-finals, struck eight past Border Security Force in the group stage, and edged Jamshedpur FC 2-0 in the quarters.
In the final, Luka Majcen’s hold-up play and Jobby Justin’s aerial presence created brief flashes of threat, but defensive fragility was ultimately exposed by NorthEast United’s attacking wave.
This year’s edition also saw expanded prize money, adding further weight to the achievements of both winners and finalists. Coverage across match reports and official channels centred on the decisive scoreline, Ajaraie’s double crown, and the historic repeat that brought the competition’s past and present together in vivid fashion.
How NorthEast United sealed victory
Midfield control proved decisive. Rodríguez and Samperio orchestrated play, unlocking spaces with clever passing and movement. Thoi Singh’s second-half strike reflected the team’s ability to stretch defences with quick transitions, while Samperio’s goal punished hesitation at the back.
As Diamond Harbour pressed forward, gaps widened, and NorthEast United’s substitutes capitalised with fresh energy, ensuring the intensity never dipped.
