NorthEast United FC Vs Diamond Harbour FC, Durand Cup 2025 Final Match Highlights: NEUFC thrash DHFC 6-1 to win title for second year in a row

Gets bad to worse for Diamond Harbour as Ajaraie is fouled in the box and it's a penalty for NorthEast United. He will take it and smashed it into the goal!! It's a rout now.

NEUFC 6-1 DHFC

We are almost at the end of the match and Diamond Harbour with a sliver of threat but it's gone out for a corner. Nothing from it as Gurmeet collects the ball. 4 mins of added time now.

NEUFC 5-1 DHFC

Aaand add another one to the collection as Ajaraie gives a beautiful pass right acroos the goal, around the defence only for Andy to finish it by lobbing it over the keeper;s head

NEUFC 5-1 DHFC

And that's game, set and match as NorthEast restore the 3 goal lead as Jairo Samperio finishes coolly after the ball falls on to his feet after a header inside.

NEUFC 4-1 DHFC

Good play from Justin and Naresh near the NEUFC penalty box but the shot is deflected and gone out for a corner. Paul with the corner and again a low fizzing pass is blocked by NEUFC for another corner. Nothing off this one though

NEUFC 3-1 DHFC

DHFC now has a spring in the steps after that goal but can't trouble the NEUFC goal. Ajaraie is fouled by Kortazar near the edge of the penalty box now and NEUFC have a free kick. Nothing off the set piece as the ball is skied over the bar!!

NEUFC 3-1 DHFC

DHFC seeing a lot of the ball now. And Majcen tries a lonfg ranger, gets deflected and out for a corner. And what a weird goal!! A header  into the NEUFC bodies and that's deflected and almost in slow motion it's into the NEUFC net!! Majcen with the final touch so the goal will be his.

NEUFC 3-1 DHFC

End to end match now as Ajaraie gets a shot on target but it's saved by the keeper. Meanwhile, DHFC gets a ball played over the NEUFC defence but can't take advantage.

NEUFC 3-0 DHFC

Good shot by Dinesh as the Diamond Harbour player takes a vicious shot that bobbed near the keeper who parries it away!! Finally, some intent from DHFC in this half after starting on a low note.

NEUFC 3-0 DHFC

Melee in the NEUFC box now as Paul goes deep inside the penalty area but the defending champions gets a counter attack going with Ajaraie who drags his shot wide!!!

NEUFC 3-0 DHFC

Brave from the NEUFC goale Gurmeet as Justin rose and heads the ball in the ground and it almost falls kindly for another player in black. But quick thinking from the NEUFC keeper to smother it.

NEUFC 3-0 DHFC

And Parthib glides down the pitch but he is blocked by Kortazar. Strange that the defender wasn't booked though. Ball out of play now as Parthib is being attended to by the medics.

NEUFC 3-0 DHFC

And that's goal no 3 as the ball is played to Ajaraie and he plays a delightful pass across the goal for Thoi to just finish the simple move!!

NEUFC 3-0 DHFC

A deflection now as NEUFC get a corner. Gogoi's effort was blocked. Corner taken short and that's lofted in for Ajaraie who just can't hit the target. Well worked corner though.

NEUFC 2-0 DHFC

Andf the second half has kicked off with NEUFC getting us underway. Redeem has been withdrawn by the defendfing champions and Dinesh has come in for NEUFC.

Ajaraie with a delightful run and muscles his way through the thick jungle of bodies and makes his way into the DHFC penalty box. And he's gone down but instead of a free kick, he gets booked. No problem for NEUFC though as Parthib Gogoi with an exquisite finish from the left flank to double NEUFC's lead!! And that's half time as well

HT: NEUFC 2-0 DHFC

DHFC have a free kick near the left flank. And it's floated in by Samuel after getting the ball from the short set piece. Kortazar gets a head to it but that hits the outer area of the post and goes out. Very close.

NEUFC 1-0 DHFC

Oh dear!!! What a miss!! Nunez had the goalkeeper at his mercy, goes around the keeper with ease and has skied his effort!! They should have been 2-0 up if the player had just passed!!

NEUFC 1-0 DHFC

And NorthEast come again!! The ball is shot towrads goal once again and Mirshad clears it away but only to another white shirt but the shot ultimately goes out.

NEUFC 1-0 DHFC

Nice play by NorthEast United as Sangte plays a clever low pass in the DHFC box but it's saved by the keeper!! From the corner, they clear but it was poor and NEUFC grab the first goal!! The goalie parries and it's served on a silver platter for Asheer!! And he makes no mistakes

NEUFC 1-0 DHFC

NEUFC slowly picking up the tempo now, playing short, snappy passes to each other but they can't get close to the DHFC goal. Loses the ball and Samuel has hit the side netting!! 

NEUFC 0-0 DHFC

Ufff!!! Diamond Harbour having the lion's share of the possession now and a ball is floated inside the NEUFC box and Justin came flying witha  whipped header but the keeper parries it away!!

NEUFC 0-0 DHFC

Free kick in a dangerous position for DHFC. Samuel on it and he has struck it way over the top. Wasted effort.

NEUFC 0-0 DHFC

Redeem fails to redeem the ball (pardon the pun) from Girik and he becomes the first player to go into the book. The ensuing free kick is good as it almost is turned into the NEUFC goal by Kortazar but it's gone behind him.

NEUFC 0-0 DHFC

Clever play from DHFC's Majcen as he finds a pass near the edge of the NEUFC penalty box. Samuel is in position and tries a flick with his head but it's mistimed and NEUFC can clear it away.

NEUFC 0-0 DHFC

NorthEast united slowly building pressure on the newbies as they maintain possession and look for a ball over the DHFC defence. But their final ball keeps letting them down.

NEUFC 0-0 DHFC

Justin with a hopeful effort from range and that has just missed the goal by miles!! Bounces out for a NEUFC goal kick now.

NEUFC 0-0 DHFC

Paul has been pulled back and DHFC get a free kick. But can't get anything from it as Gurmeet latches on the high ball with ease. NEUFC build again.

NEUFC 0-0 DHFC

And here's the first chance of the match as Ajaraie almost heads it into the net due to an awkward bounce but the DHFC goalie Mirshad can collect it.

NEUFC 0-0 DHFC

Both teams are going for the initiative as soon the the whistle blew with DHFC taking advantage of a wayward tthrough ball by a NEUFC player. But they can't take advantage with both teams losing possession.

NEUFC 0-0 DHFC

And we are off!!! NEUFC in their white kit while DHFC are in their navy blue apparel. The home team will start proceedings.

And we are ready for live action as the two sets of players have lined up alongside each other. Now, we are waiting for the chief guests to enter the field as the match is set to kick off very soon.

In the last Durand Cup final, NEUFC had faced off with another Bengal club in Mohun Bagan Super Giant, who were also the defending champions. The match was a thrilling affair, ending 2-2 after regulation time and Extra Time. Ultimately NEUFC edged MBSG 4-3 in the penalty shootout.

The stage is set.?
VYBK is ready for the grand finale of the IndianOil Durand Cup! ???#NEUFCDHFC #FINAL #134thEditionofIndianOilDurandCup #PoweredBySBIandCoalIndia #DurandCup2025 #ManyChampionsOneLegacy #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/Mfd5aGGFik

— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) August 23, 2025

Along with the glittering Durand Cup trophy, the winners of the 134th edition of tournament will also get prize money of Rs 1.21 crore, the highest champion's purse in the 137-year history of Asia's oldest football tournament.

DHFC: Mirshad (GK); Kortazar, Mandi, Ruatkima; Renthlei, Paul, Ajith; Justin (C); Samuel, Girik, Majcen

NEUFC: Gurmeet(GK); Zabaco (C), Asheer, Redeem, Sangte; Mayakkannan, Gaitan, Thoi; Chema Nunez, Parthib, Ajaraie

For goals, Diamond Harbour will be turning to Slovenia striker Luka Majcen who has bagged 4 till now in the Durand Cup. But it won't be easy against NEUFC captain and defender Michel Zabaco who has been pretty impressive in his defensive duties, shutting out any potential threats. This might be the clash that defines the final as well with both players familiar with each other due to playing in the ISL previously. 

Diamond Harbour FC were the definitive underdogs in the tournament where big ISL clubs were present. But when the dust settled, they are the only Bengal club left standing with the traditional Big Three in East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting already eliminated. It says a lot about DHFC that they have even managed to come out on top against two of them.

Group Stage

Diamond Harbour FC vs Mohammedan Sporting: DHFC won 2-1

Diamond Harbour FC vs BSF FT: DHGC won 8-1

Diamond Harbour FC vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant: MBSG won 5-1

Knockouts

QF: Diamond Harbour FC vs Jamshedpur FC: DHFC won 2-0

SF: Diamond Harbour FC vs East Bengal: DHFC won 2-1 

The midfield battle between NEUFC's Andy Rodriguez and DHFC's Samuel will decide the tempo of the match. If Samuel can press Rodriguez enough, he will find openings for his team to create opportunities. But if the Spaniard Rodriguez grows into the game, NEUFC will dominate possession, starving DHFC of opportunities.

NorthEast United are coming into the final undefeated, with 2 wins and a draw in the Group stage. They then defeated Bodoland FC 4-0 in the quarterfinal before easing out a tight 1-0 win over Shilong Lajong in the semifinal.

Group Stage

NorthEast United vs Malaysian Armed Forces: NEUFC won 3-1

NorthEast United vs Shillong Lajong: NEUFC won 2-1

NorthEast United vs Rangdajied United FC: Match tied 2-2

Knockouts

QF: NorthEast United vs Bodoland FC: NEUFC won 4-0

SF: NorthEast United vs Shillong Lajong: NEUFC won 1-0

Mirshad (GK); Kortazar, Mandi, Ruatkima; Renthlei, Paul, Ajith; Justin (C); Samuel, Girik, Majcen

Team News is in! ??
Here's how we line-up for the DURAND CUP FINAL! ??
Let's go out there and create history! ?#StrongerAsOne #8States1United #134thEditionofIndianOilDurandCup pic.twitter.com/naFm94n0cT

— NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) August 23, 2025

Both NEUFC and DHFC will look to create a bit of history in their summit clash in what promises to be a jam packed salt Lake Stadium. NEUFC is aiming to become the only side since East Bengal in 1990 and 1991 to retain the Durand Cup. The Kolkata giants had even completed a hattrick in retentions when they won the title in 1989 as well.

For DHFC, it's about making an impact. They have already made the world sit up and take notice whe they eliminated East Bengal in the semifinal. But if they win the Durand, it'll be their first top-tier trophy in their fledgling history.

NEUFC boast the talent of Morocco's Alaaeddine Ajaraie who is also the leading goalscorer of the tournament with 7 goals to his name. Standing against him in the DHFC defence will be the veteran Ajith Kumar, former player of  Bengaluru FC nad Chennayin FC, who had kept East Bengal out in the semifinal.

The match is set to be an interesting watch due to the clash of styles between the two teams. NorthEast United play a pretty structred style of football, building patiently before striking. On the other hand, Diamond Harbour operates like a loose cannon, able to strike whenever an opportunity arises. East Bengal fund this out the hard way in the semis. Will NEUFC suffer the same fate? 

NorthEast United FC: Gurmeet Singh (GK), Redeem Tlang, Asheer Akhtar, Michel Zobaco, Buanthanglun Samte, Andy Rodríguez, Mayakkannan, Chema Nunez, Jithin MS, Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, Alaaeddine Ajaraie

Diamond Harbour FC: Susnata Malik (GK), Ajith Kumar, Mikel Kortazar, Naresh Singh, Melroy Assisi, Clayton, Lalliansanga, Paul Ramfangzauva, Girik Khosla, Luka Majcen, Joby Justin

This is the first time these two teams will clash in their history. NorthEast United FC are ISL regulars while Diamond Harbour FC was created just 5 years ago. all eyes will be on the big clash with DHFC, which is the home team, expected to get a huge support from the fans at Yuba Bharati Krirangan. 

After an entharlling tournament, we are finally in the last leg of the Durand Cup when defending champions NorthEast United take on Diamond harbour in what promises to be a thrilling final clash at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Will NEUFC retain their crown or can DHFC pull of the mother of all upsets. Stay tuned to find out.