Under the floodlights of Kolkata’s iconic Salt Lake Stadium, NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) scripted a golden chapter in Indian football. Their 6-1 demolition of tournament debutants Diamond Harbour FC (DHFC) in the Durand Cup 2025 final was not just a victory; it was a resounding declaration of dominance. For the first time since East Bengal in 1991, a team had successfully defended Asia’s oldest football trophy, and the Highlanders did it in ruthless style.The final had been billed as a clash between pedigree and fairytale. On one side, NEUFC, the Indian Super League (ISL) heavyweights, unbeaten all tournament, brimming with attacking firepower. On the other, Diamond Harbour FC—the I-League newcomers, riding a Cinderella run to their maiden final in just their fifth year of existence. In the end, experience and quality told, but not before DHFC gave a brave account of themselves.

Early Fire, Early Control

Northeast United’s dominance in the Durand Cup 2025 final was written in goals. Asheer Akhtar opened the floodgates in the 30th minute before Parthib Gogoi doubled the lead with a brilliant strike in first-half stoppage time (45+1’). The second half began with Thoi Singh making it 3-0 in the 50th minute, but Diamond Harbour’s Luka Majcen briefly pulled one back in the 68th minute with a scrappy finish. Any hopes of a comeback were crushed as Jairo struck in the 81st minute, followed by Andy Rodríguez’s cool finish in the 86th. Finally, Moroccan star Alaaeddine Ajaraie capped off the night with a stoppage-time penalty (90+3’), his 40th career goal in Indian football, sealing a historic 6-1 triumph for the Highlanders. different title

Diamond Harbour’s Dream Run

For Diamond Harbour FC, the final scoreline may sting, but their journey to the final was nothing short of remarkable. A team that only qualified for the knockouts as the second-best runner-up in the group stages stunned East Bengal in the semifinal to book their date with history. Led by Brazilian forward Clayton Silva, Slovenian veteran Luka Majcen, and local star Sairuat Kima, DHFC showed flair throughout the campaign. In just five years since inception, they have gone from I-League promotion hopefuls to Durand Cup finalists. 

More Than Just a Trophy

The win was worth more than just the ₹1.21 crore prize money, the largest in Durand Cup history. It was symbolic. For NorthEast United, once seen as perpetual underdogs in the ISL, this was validation of their rise as a powerhouse. Beyond the silverware, this victory carried emotional weight. NEUFC represents India’s Northeast, a region that has long supplied the country with footballing talent yet often felt sidelined in the national spotlight. Each goal, each cheer, and each medal lifted by the Highlanders was a tribute to the passion of the Northeast, where football is more than a sport; it is a way of life. The celebrations in Guwahati, Shillong, and Imphal reflected that sentiment. Young kids watching their heroes lift the trophy now have living proof that dreams born in the hills and valleys of the Northeast can shine brightest on India’s grandest stages.

A Statement for Indian Football

The Durand Cup 2025 final was more than just a match; it was a marker for Indian football’s future. With packed stands at Salt Lake Stadium, young players emerging as stars, and a newly promoted I-League club reaching the final, the tournament highlighted the depth and diversity of the sport in the country. For NorthEast United, though, the night was about rewriting history. A 6-1 win, a back-to-back triumph, and a new chapter that firmly places them among India’s footballing giants. One truth was undeniable: the Highlanders are no longer underdogs; they are champions, again and again.