Durand Cup 2025 HIGHLIGHTS, NEUFC vs DHFC final: NorthEast Utd lift 2nd title with dominant 6-1 win
NorthEast United vs Diamond Harbour HIGHLIGHTS: Aladdin Ajaraei stars for the defending champions who went on to thump Diamond Harbour 6-1 in the final to lift 2nd consecutive title on the night.
 "NorthEast United")
NorthEast United
NorthEast United FC produced a dominant performance to crush debutants Diamond Harbour FC 6-1 in the final of the Durand Cup 2025 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, successfully defending their title in emphatic fashion.
The match began with Diamond Harbour showing early intent, but it was the reigning champions who struck first. A chaotic moment inside the box saw Asheer capitalise on a spilled save by Mirshad to tap in the opener. Before halftime, Parthib doubled NorthEast's lead with a stunning curling strike into the top corner.
The second half saw the Highlanders come out even stronger. Ajaraei, the tournament’s standout performer, set up Thoi for an easy finish to make it 3-0. Although Diamond Harbour pulled one back via a lucky deflection off Luka Majcen’s face following a corner, it proved to be a mere consolation.
The floodgates opened in the final quarter of the match. Spaniard Jairo made it 4-1 with a precise finish, followed by a fifth from Andy after a superb assist from Ajaraei. The Moroccan striker capped off the night by converting a penalty in the final minutes, marking his 40th goal in Indian football and sealing the 6-1 rout.
Despite Diamond Harbour’s spirited run to the final in their debut campaign, they were completely outclassed by a clinical NorthEast United side. With this win, NEUFC not only lifted their second consecutive Durand Cup but also walked away with the record ₹1.21 crore prize—the highest in the tournament’s 137-year history.
Ajaraei’s commanding display, with a goal and two assists, underscored NorthEast’s attacking prowess, as they cemented their place as a rising powerhouse in Indian football. Diamond Harbour, though on the losing end, can take pride in a historic first run.
NorthEast United vs Diamond Harbour FC Durand Cup 2025 Starting 11:
NorthEast United FC starting 11 (probable): 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 starting 11 (probable): Susnata Malik (GK), Ajith Kumar, Mikel Kortazar, Naresh Singh, Melroy Assisi, Clayton, Lalliansanga, Paul Ramfangzauva, Girik Khosla, Luka Majcen, Joby Justin
7:28 PM
NorthEast United FC vs Diamond Harbour FC LIVE SCORE UPDATES: Ajaraei converts the spot kick to make it 6!
A foul on Ajaraei gives the highlanders a penalty which is successfully converted by the man himself for his 40th goal in Indian football. The Moroccan has been incredible for the defending champions.
7:24 PM
NorthEast United FC vs Diamond Harbour FC LIVE SCORE UPDATES: Good defence by the Highlanders!
A counter attack defended well by NorthEast in the final minute of regulation time. 4 minutes added to the 90 now.
7:20 PM
NorthEast United FC vs Diamond Harbour FC LIVE SCORE UPDATES: NEUFC run riot!
A Spanish double on the night as Andy slides it into the left hand side of the goal in the 85th minute of the game to make it 5-1 now. Ajaraei with the assist again
7:16 PM
NorthEast United FC vs Diamond Harbour FC LIVE SCORE UPDATES: Game over!
Spaniard Jairo scores NorthEast United's 4th goal of the night as his shot finds the bottom left corner in the 82nd minute.
7:10 PM
NorthEast United FC vs Diamond Harbour FC LIVE SCORE UPDATES: Ajaraei shoots it high!
Aladdin Ajaraei shoots the free kick from the left flank high of the goal as both teams take a drinks break in humid conditions in Kolkata.
7:03 PM
NorthEast United FC vs Diamond Harbour FC LIVE SCORE UPDATES: DHFC get one back!
The ball slowly creps into the NorthEast net following a corner as Diamond Harbour make it 1-3 with a little more than 20 minutes left in the tie. Luca Majcen with a deflection through his face as the ball went inside the net.
6:53 PM
NorthEast United FC vs Diamond Harbour FC LIVE SCORE UPDATES: Naresh, Shreshtha comes in!
Diamond Harbour bring in Naresh and Shreshtha to try and get a goal to start their fightback with half an hour left in the tie.
6:46 PM
NorthEast United FC vs Diamond Harbour FC LIVE SCORE UPDATES: 3-0 to NEUFC!
The quality from Ajaraei finally shines through as grounded cross to Thoi handed an easy goal for him to make it 3-0 on the night. Brilliant counter-attacking goal for the defending champions in the 51st minute.
6:40 PM
NorthEast United FC vs Diamond Harbour FC LIVE SCORE UPDATES: 2nd half begins!
The 2nd begins as the defending champions sit with a comfortable lead with Diamond Harbour left with all the hardwork to do in the final 45 minutes.
6:23 PM
NorthEast United FC vs Diamond Harbour FC LIVE SCORE UPDATES: Half-time!
NorthEast United go into the dressing room at half-time with a 2-goal lead courtesy of goals from Asheer and Parthib as Diamond Harbour have all the work to do in the 2nd half to fight back into the final.
6:21 PM
NorthEast United FC vs Diamond Harbour FC LIVE SCORE UPDATES: NEUFC double their lead!
Parthib makes it 2-0 in added time with a brilliant curling finish into the right top corner.
6:14 PM
NorthEast United FC vs Diamond Harbour FC LIVE SCORE UPDATES: Golden chance wasted by NEUFC!
Another good chance to double their lead as Chema Nunez dribbled the goalkeeper but failed to put the ball inside the net and shot it wide of the goal in the 39th minute.
6:09 PM
NorthEast United FC vs Diamond Harbour FC LIVE SCORE UPDATES: NEUFC strike first!
The reigning champions draw first blood in the final! A scramble in the box causes chaos for the Diamond Harbour defence. Amid the congestion, a shot is fired through the crowd, and Mirshad manages to get a hand to it. However, he fails to hold on, and Asheer pounces on the loose ball, perfectly positioned to slot it home and give his side the lead.
6:02 PM
NorthEast United FC vs Diamond Harbour FC LIVE SCORE UPDATES: Justin hits the side netting!
Joby Justin's strike hits the side netting from the right flank. Still no real chance for both sides as the clock ticks towards the half hour mark.
5:56 PM
NorthEast United FC vs Diamond Harbour FC LIVE SCORE UPDATES: Another foul by NEUFC!
Another rough tackle by Sangte this time that hands a freekick in a dangerous area for Diamond Harbour
Topics : Football News
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First Published: Aug 23 2025 | 4:25 PM IST
