East Bengal vs Diamond Harbour, Durand Cup 2025, AS IT HAPPENED: Diamond Harbour FC scripted a famous upset, beating East Bengal 2-1 to storm into the Durand Cup final.
Kortazar's spectacular bicycle kick gave DHFC the lead before Anwar Ali's thunderbolt made it 1-1. But ex-East Bengal forward Joby Justin struck late to seal a historic win for the 2020-founded club.
East Bengal hit the bar twice and saw Mirshad deny them repeatedly, but Diamond Harbour's resilience carried them over the line.

It's full-time!! East Bengal lose!!! Would you believe it?!!! Diamond Harbour have done the unthinkable! They are in the final!!! FT: EBFC 1-2 DHFC (Anwar::Kotrazar, Joby Justin)
GOAAL!!! NO!!! Luca Majcen's shot has been ruled for an off-side! DHFC thought they were 3-1 up!
8 minutes have been added on for stoppages!! Can East Bengal get an equaliser and force the game to penalties! Lot of work is needed to be done now!
Kevin Sibille with a header!!! It's saved once again my Mirshad Michu!!!! What a save!!
GOOOAL!! Diamond Harbour have taken the lead!!! Joby Justin, former EB man has managed to get the ball inside the back of the net amidst the corwd!
Just 10 minutes to go in the game and it's 1-1! Will we see a winner or will the dreaded penalties decide the fate of the match?
Miguel hits the bar from long-range!! He had all the space and time from outside the box, Mirshad gave it up but the woodwork came to the rescue! Lucky for DHFC!
Mohammed Rashid's inclusion has also injected fresh air in EB's midfield as they keep on creating chances after chances.
Mohammed Rashid is coming on for East Bengal. Just seconds before East Bengal's penalty appeal was turned down by the referee. EB keep up the pressure game!
WHAT A STRIKE FROM Anwar Ali!!! He found space in the middle and launched an unstoppable shot past Mirshad Michu to make it 1-1!!! This a shot from at least 35 yards!!!
GOOAAAL!!!! Oh my God!!! Diamond Harbour break the deadlock!!! Kortazar with a brilliant bicycle kick!!
Diamantakos with a free-kick and his low powerful shot was nicely grabbed by Mirshad! EB keep up the pressure game.
Diamond Harbour make three changes, which includes DHFC's midfield general Holicharan Narzary. Fresh legs for the away side!
Aggressive from East Bengal! They are pressing men forward in numbers but Mirshad is also giving his all to keep everything out of harm's way. DHFC chasing shadows now.
What a miss!!!! Diamantakos should be scoring from that position!! A glancing header found the unmarked Greek forward and he jumps to only head it wide!!! This should've been a goal!! Another chance goes begging!
Diamantakos finds himself unmarked and from a tight angle and he drags it wide!!! Maybe a pass would've done the trick?
East Bengal start proceedings with their possession game but whenever DHFC find the ball, they are equally threatening.
Jeakson has also come on in place of Edmund Lalrindika...
We are back fot the second-half! East Bengal has brought in Provat Lakra in place Chungnunga. Let's see what this change brings to the side.
Kevin Sibille with a header from a corner and it should've been 1-0 by now!! He leapt above everyone and his perfectly struck header went above the bar! Had it been on target, the score-line would've read something else! It's half-time now and an exciting final 45 minutes reamins! Stay tuned.
Almost a goal for EBFC!!! Unlucky! Naorem's swerving shot was expertly saved by Mirshad and on the follow-on, no one really manages to poke it into the box!
2 minutes have been added on for stoppages. Can either of the side get a goal before half-time?
East Bengal with a chance inside the box amidst the crowd!!! Bipin was looking to poke it into the goal but Mirshad came out at the right time and scrambled literally before finally grabbing the ball.
Diamantakos with another header!!! East Bengal now slowly getting a hold of the game! The headed attempt once again just went off target.
East Bengal getting into the thick of action! Diamantakos gets a header inside the box, but it was way off target!
DHFC are looking dangerous in quick transition play! They are literally making life difficult for EBFC! The Bangal Brigade need to pull up their socks and try to beat the DHFC crowd that has actually done a good job in keeping them out of bay.
Yellow card for Lachungnunga! That means, if East Bengal qualify for the final, the EB defender will miss the summit clash! Ther are 5 more EB players, who are in jeopardy of missing the match.
30 minutes into the game and it's even-stevens! Nothing to separate both the teams and in the last few minutes, DHFC look the more likely side to score. But EBFC as always are not behind and are creating as many chances as possible.
Another chance for DHFC from inside the box and Joby Justin skies it high!! For the last few minutes, it's the technical away side, who are dominating proceedings!
Diamond Harbour hit the bar!!! Almost a goal for the minnows!! We are witnessing a very closely-contested semi-final tonight!! Expect more drama!!!
The Red and Gold brigade, however, are well aware that a single off-day could derail their ambitions. A Durand Cup title would not just break their long silverware drought - their last triumph came in 2004 - but also put them level with Mohun Bagan's tally of 17 wins in the competition. With Dimitrios Diamantakos rediscovering his sharp form by netting a brace against the Mariners, East Bengal look armed with the firepower to go all the way.
For Diamond Harbour FC, the semi-final is a golden opportunity to continue their fairy-tale journey. Founded only in 2020, the club has risen rapidly in Bengal football and is already leaving a mark at the national level. Their remarkable run in the tournament - ousting heavyweights like Mohammedan SC and Jamshedpur FC - underlines their belief and resilience. Under the guidance of Kibu Vicuña, the I-League newcomers have shown maturity beyond their years, blending discipline with composure in pressure moments.
A win against East Bengal would not just be a monumental upset but also a statement that Diamond Harbour are here to stay among India's emerging football powers. For the players, the occasion is massive, and their mental strength will be as crucial as their tactical execution.
The stage is set for a gripping encounter: East Bengal's legacy and desperation for silverware versus Diamond Harbour's fearless ambition. In a city that lives and breathes football, this semi-final promises to be another chapter in Kolkata's storied football rivalry.