NorthEast United FC triumphed over Diamond Harbour FC with a dominant 6-1 victory, securing back-to-back Durand Cup titles—a feat unseen in 25 years.
Scoring Summary
First Half:
Asheer Akhtar opened the scoring around the 30th minute.
Parthib Gogoi added a stunning strike late in the first half to make it 2-0 at HT.
Second Half:
Thoi Singh extended the lead with a well-executed counter-attack, 3-0.
Luka Majcen pulled one back for Diamond Harbour after a set-piece deflection, reducing the deficit to 3-1.
Jairo (Bustara) restored a three-goal cushion for NEUFC, making it 4-1.
Gaitán (or Andy Rodríguez—sources vary) converted another to make 5-1.
A late penalty by Alaaeddine Ajaraie sealed the emphatic 6-1 win; Ajaraie also contributed three assists.
Key Stats & Highlights
Alaaeddine Ajaraie stood out with three assists and a penalty goal, anchoring the attack.
With this win, NorthEast United FC became the first team in 25 years to successfully defend the Durand Cup.
The 2025 Durand Cup was the 134th edition, featuring 24 teams, 43 matches, and a total of 147 goals. Ajaraie finished as the top scorer with 8 goals.
Venue & Broadcast Details
Date & Venue: Final played on 23 August 2025 at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium), Kolkata.
Broadcast: Telecasted on Sony Sports Network and streamed via SonyLIV.
Significance & Context
Diamond Harbour FC, making their debut in the competition, completed a remarkable run—including upsetting ISL giants—to reach the final.
NorthEast United FC fortified their status in Indian football, showcasing both firepower and composure through disciplined structure and clinical finishing.
Final Snapshot Table
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Final Score | NorthEast United FC 6-1 Diamond Harbour FC |
| Scorers | Asheer, Parthib, Thoi, Jairo, Gaitán, Ajaraie (pen) |
| Top Performer | Alaaeddine Ajaraie (3 assists + penalty) |
| Venue | Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata |
| Format | Durand Cup 2025 – 134th edition |
| Broadcast | Sony Sports Network / SonyLIV |
| Historical Note | First team in 25 years to win back-to-back Durand Cups |
About Durand Cup Final 2025 & Tournament Summary
Final Match Details
Date & Venue: The final took place on 23 August 2025 at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata.
Result: NorthEast United FC defeated Diamond Harbour FC 6–1 in a commanding display.
Attendance & Conditions: 16,920 spectators watched under partly cloudy skies (approx. 27 °C, 94% humidity).
Man of the Match: Alaaeddine Ajaraie starred with three assists and a late penalty goal.
Route to the Final & Tournament Overview
Tournament Edition: It was the 134th edition of Asia’s oldest football competition, the IndianOil Durand Cup, held between 23 July and 23 August 2025 across multiple venues: Imphal, Kokrajhar, Kolkata, Shillong, and Jamshedpur.
Participation & Stats:
24 teams competed.
A total of 43 matches were played, yielding 147 goals.
Top scorer: Ajaraie with 8 goals in the tournament.
NorthEast United’s Journey:
Group Stage: beat Malaysian Armed Forces 3-1, Shillong Lajong 2-1, drew 2-2 with Rangdajied United.
Knockouts: defeated Bodoland 4-0 in the quarters, Shillong Lajong 1-0 in the semis.
Diamond Harbour’s Fairytale Run:
Group Stage: beat Mohammedan Sporting 2-1, BSF FT 8-1; lost to Mohun Bagan 1-5.
Knockouts: beat Jamshedpur FC 2-0 in quarters, upset East Bengal 2-1 in semis to reach their first final.
Historical Significance
Back-to-Back Triumph: NorthEast United FC became the first team in 25 years to defend the Durand Cup title successfully.
In the modern ISL era, that hadn’t been achieved since East Bengal’s hat-trick in 1989–1991.
