The Durand Cup - Asia's oldest football tournament, wrapped up its 134th edition with a clash between NorthEast United and debutants Diamond Harbour FC at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday. Both sides entered the final with different stories.
NorthEast aimed to defend their crown and Diamond Harbour hoped to cap off a dream run with silverware. What unfolded was a one-sided contest that showed NorthEast's firepower and experience on the big stage.
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NorthEast United vs Diamond Harbour Durand Cup 2025 final score
NorthEast United outclassed Diamond Harbour 6-1 to retain the Durand Cup title. The result gave them their second trophy in as many years.
Diamond Harbour had the first sniff of goal when Joby Justin forced Gurmeet into action but NorthEast quickly settled into rhythm. The breakthrough came in the 30th minute as Asheer Akhtar capitalised on a rebound to open the scoring.
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Just before half-time, Parthib Gogoi doubled the lead with a stunning strike from distance.
After the restart, Diamond Harbour's Luca Majcen briefly reignited hopes with a close-range finish but NorthEast responded almost instantly through Thoi Singh - who finished off a lightning counter led by Ajaraie.
From there, the champions ran riot - Jairo Bustara netted on debut, Gaitan scored with an acrobatic effort and Ajaraie capped the rout with a penalty in stoppage time.
The commanding 6-1 win not only secured NorthEast United's second Durand Cup title but also sent a strong message ahead of the upcoming ISL season. On the other hand, Diamond Harbour fell short in the final but earned plenty of respect with their spirited campaign.