On the eve of 23rd August 2025, the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata witnessed history. Even though the local Bengalis might not have been in a particularly happy mood, the atmosphere there was electric. This was because NorthEast United FC defeated the Bengal-based team Diamond Harbour FC, with a 6-1 margin, to win the Durand Cup 2025. It wasn’t just the win, but the manner of the win that made it all the more memorable for the Guwahati-based club.
In doing so, NorthEast United FC defended their title from last year, and thus, became only the second football club in history to do so. East Bengal last defended their title, albeit twice (a three-peat) between 1989-1991. Diamond Harbour FC, which made its debut this year, performed exceedingly well to reach the final of the tournament in its debut attempt. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be for them, especially in front of the defending champions. Let’s have a look at how NorthEast United FC won the Durand Cup and created history.
At around 5:30 pm on Saturday, the match began on a slippery outfield owing to the heavy rainfall prior to that. In no time, NorthEast United FC started a barrage of offensive attacks, trying to score a goal in the first half-hour itself. Eventually, luck favored them at the 30-minute mark, and Asheer Akhtar scored their first goal. After a poor clearance by Luka Majcen, the ball remained in NEUFC’s possession, and once it bounced off of DHFC GK Mirshad Michu’s body and straight into Akhtar’s legs, the goal was inevitable. With this 1-0 lead, NEUFC were up & running, and so were their fans in the stands.
A total of 16,920 people attended the game, and every single one of them was there for a thrilling contest. Although it began with signs of a close contest, NEUFC soon made it a one-sided affair. NEUFC kept the pressure intact for the remainder of the first half and just before the referee blew the whistle, scored another goal. It was a screamer of a goal over the DHFC GK’s head by Parthib Sundar Gogoi. At half-time, NorthEast United FC were leading 2-0. NEUFC already looked like they were in a commanding position now.
Soon after the second half began, NEUFC wasted no time in scoring its 3rd goal. Moroccan footballer Alaaeddine Ajaraie made a brilliant pass to Tondonba Ngasepam, who scored one of the easiest goals ever. The credit mostly belonged to Ajaraie, who also won the Man of the Match. As NEUFC were all but certain to win the cup then, you could see not only the fans but the owner celebrating as well. Bollywood actor and NEUFC owner John Abraham was congratulating all the dignitaries in the VIP box after each goal.
After conceding 3 goals, Diamond Harbour FC finally managed to score one goal in the 68th minute. DHFC defender Rabilal Mandi took the corner, and Luka Majcen somehow got a header to it. The ball crept inside the goalpost as the NEUFC GK Gurmeet Singh kept watching from the other end of the goalpost.
After this, the match went into the last 10-15 minutes with the scoreline reading 3-1 for NEUFC. Just as the scoreline looked settled, with NEUFC comfortably defending their championship title, a late surge from the Guwahati-based team saw them increase their margins even further. NEUFC scored their fourth goal in the 81st minute, their fifth goal in the 85th minute, and capped it off with a sixth goal in the 90+3 minutes of extra time. They were scored by Jairo Samperio, Jose Rodriguez, and Alaaeddine Ajaraie in penalty, respectively. Ajaraie also provided Rodriguez with a brilliant assist to score the fifth goal. It was a fitting Man of the Match award for him.
NorthEast United FC won the match 6-1, and defended their title most aggressively ever. Barely has a team won a title in such a dominating manner. The last time a team won with such a huge margin was in 2001, when the now-defunct Mahindra United beat Churchill Brothers 5-0. This title belonged every bit and ounce to NorthEast United FC. A special shout-out to their coach, Juan Pedro Benali, who made sure that an eclectic mix of Indian and foreign players is in the squad. NEUFC looked the best team from the start; they were unbeaten (one draw against Rangdajied United FC 2-2), and all of their players looked the fittest.
They had beaten Shillong Lajong 1-0 and Bodoland 4-0 in the semi-finals and quarter-finals, respectively. Whereas, Diamond Harbour FC had beaten East Bengal 2-1 and Jamsedhpur FC 2-0 in the semi-final and quarter-final, respectively. The NorthEast United FC, nicknamed the Highlanders, cherished every bit of this win to the fullest. Victories like this, although for a second time, meant a lot to them since up until last year, NEUFC hadn’t won any silverware for a decade. They defeated Mohunbagan FC 2-2 (4-3) in penalties to earn their first title in 10 years. Will NorthEast United FC now be able to pull off an East Bengal from 1989-1991 and make a three-peat next year? It is yet to be seen.
