“Durand Cup 2025 Semi-Final Thriller: Diamond Harbour Stun East Bengal 2-1 To Enter Historic Final”

The Durand Cup 2025 semi-final turned into one of the biggest upsets in Indian football history as debutants Diamond Harbour FC defeated giants East Bengal 2-1 at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. Goals from Mikel Kortazar and Joby Justin sealed the win despite a spirited fightback from East Bengal.

The victory not only sends Diamond Harbour into their first-ever Durand Cup final but also marks a defining moment for the underdogs, who have shocked established ISL sides throughout the tournament.

First Half: A Cautious Battle

The match began with East Bengal holding possession and dictating play. Their midfield trio rotated passes well, while wingers tried to stretch Diamond Harbour’s defense.

Diamond Harbour, however, were disciplined and compact, sitting deep and absorbing pressure. Both sides had half-chances—Cleiton Silva for East Bengal came close, and Kortazar threatened with a header.

The half ended goalless, but the tension was clear inside a packed Salt Lake Stadium.

Second Half Drama

66′ Kortazar’s Bicycle Kick Stuns Kolkata

The breakthrough came in spectacular fashion. Against the run of play, Mikel Kortazar unleashed a stunning bicycle kick that sailed past the East Bengal goalkeeper. The Salt Lake crowd fell silent as Diamond Harbour led 1-0.

67′ Anwar Ali’s Instant Response

But East Bengal struck back almost immediately. From the restart, defender Anwar Ali fired a thunderous long-range shot to equalize within seconds. The game was back on at 1-1, and fans sensed a classic brewing.

83′ Joby Justin Punishes His Former Club

The decisive moment arrived in the 83rd minute. Former East Bengal striker Joby Justin, now wearing Diamond Harbour colors, found space inside the box and coolly slotted home. Out of respect, he refused to celebrate, but his goal sent Diamond Harbour into dreamland.

Final Minutes & Stoppage Time

Eight minutes of added time gave East Bengal hope. They piled on the pressure with corners, crosses, and long balls, but Diamond Harbour’s defense stood tall. The final whistle confirmed a historic 2-1 victory for the underdogs.

Crowd Reactions

The Salt Lake crowd was left stunned. While East Bengal fans mourned another missed opportunity, Diamond Harbour supporters erupted in joy.

Social media was flooded with reactions praising the debutant club for their fearless display and criticising East Bengal’s lack of composure.

Key Player Performances

Mikel Kortazar – Scored a wonder goal, tireless in defense. Anwar Ali (EB) – Brilliant equaliser, led from the back. Joby Justin – The hero with the winning strike, showing respect to his former side. Diamond Harbour Goalkeeper – Made crucial saves in added time to protect the lead.

Tactical Breakdown

East Bengal’s Strategy: Heavy possession, but lacked finishing. Relied too much on wing play and Silva’s creativity. Diamond Harbour’s Strategy: Defensive discipline + counter-attacks. Effective pressing in key areas and clinical finishing.

What This Means

For East Bengal: Another bitter semi-final exit despite strong form. Pressure mounts on the coaching staff and questions rise about squad balance. For Diamond Harbour: A dream debut campaign. From beating Jamshedpur in the quarters to stunning East Bengal in the semis, they’ve become the fairy-tale story of Durand Cup 2025.

Quotes & Reactions

Joby Justin: “It’s emotional scoring against East Bengal. I respect my former club, but today I had to do my job.” Diamond Harbour Coach Kibu Vicuña: “We believed in ourselves. The boys gave everything on the pitch.” East Bengal Coach: “We controlled the game but football punishes mistakes. Congratulations to Diamond Harbour.”

Road to the Final

Diamond Harbour will now face the winner of the other semi-final. Regardless of the opponent, they have proven they can challenge India’s top clubs.

The final promises to be another thriller, with the underdogs now eyeing their maiden Durand Cup trophy.

Durand Cup 2025: Diamond Harbour Beat East Bengal 2-1 To Reach Historic Final

Durand Cup 2025 semi-final saw debutants Diamond Harbour FC stun East Bengal 2-1 with goals from Kortazar and Joby Justin. Relive the full match report, highlights, and reactions.