Indian Oil Durand Cup 2025: NorthEast United FC Crushes Diamond Harbour FC 6-1 to Retain Durand Cup
Highlanders script history with record margin, crushing Diamond Harbour FC 6-1 to defend their Durand Cup crown at Salt Lake Stadium.
NorthEast United FC successfully defended its Durand Cup crown with a commanding 6-1 victory over Diamond Harbour FC in the 134th final at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) on Saturday.
The Highlanders ended Diamond Harbour’s fairy-tale run — which saw the underdogs knock out ISL sides Jamshedpur FC and East Bengal — with a dominant display that marked the biggest winning margin in a final in the post-Independence era of the 137-year-old tournament.
NorthEast took control early, breaking the deadlock in the 30th minute through Asheer Akhtar, before Parthib Gogoi doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time. After the break, the floodgates opened — Thoi Singh, Jairo Samperio (as a substitute), Andres Rodriguez, and Alaaeddine Ajaraie (penalty) added to the tally, completing a ruthless attacking performance. Diamond Harbour managed only a consolation goal from Luka Majcen midway through the second half.
While Diamond Harbour had earned admiration for their giant-killing exploits, they were no match for NorthEast’s superior organization. The Highlanders combined rock-solid defending, controlled midfield play, and clinical finishing to seal back-to-back titles.
With this triumph, NorthEast United became only the second club after East Bengal (1989–1991) to defend the Durand Cup, bettering last year’s title win against Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
