East Bengal sealed its place in the semi-finals of the Durand Cup 2025 after prevailing over arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant 2-1 in a high-octane Kolkata Derby at the Salt Lake Stadium.
Dimitrios Diamantakos became the prime star of the night, scoring twice to ensure his side’s passage in Asia’s oldest football tournament.
The match lived up to its billing as one of the fiercest rivalries in Indian football, with drama, tactical duels, and tense moments keeping a packed Salt Lake crowd on edge.
Mohun Bagan coach Jose Molina opted for a traditional 4-4-2 setup, while East Bengal boss Oscar Bruzon crowded the midfield, relying on Hamid Ahadad as the lone striker. However, East Bengal were dealt an early setback when Ahadad was forced off with an injury in the 25th minute. His replacement, Diamantakos, would go on to tilt the balance of the game.
East Bengal grew into the contest as the first half progressed, dominating exchanges by the half-hour mark. Their persistence bore fruit in the 38th minute when Bipin Singh was brought down inside the penalty area. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Diamantakos stepped up and coolly slotted his effort past a diving Vishal Kaith, who guessed correctly but was beaten by the striker’s precision.
Mohun Bagan attempted to hit back before the break, with Lalengmawia Ralte coming closest in first-half injury time, but his strike whistled wide of Prabhsukhan Singh Gill’s goal.
Molina introduced Australian forward Jason Cummings after the interval in search of an equaliser. Instead, it was East Bengal who doubled their advantage. In the 52nd minute, a beautifully worked move split Bagan’s defence. Lalchungnunga’s cross-field ball found Edmund Lalrindika, who cushioned it back to Miguel. The Brazilian playmaker weaved through midfield before releasing Mahesh Singh. The Manipuri attacker threaded a pass to Diamantakos, who controlled smartly and fired on the half-turn. His strike deflected off Alberto and wrong-footed Kaith, sending the East Bengal fans into delirium.
Bagan nearly pulled one back soon after, but East Bengal’s Italian centre-back Kevin Sibille produced a remarkable goalline clearance to deny Jamie Maclaren from point-blank range.
The Mariners eventually got their lifeline in the 68th minute. From a corner, Liston Colaco spotted Anirudh Thapa unmarked outside the box. The midfielder curled a right-footed strike through a crowded penalty area, leaving Prabhsukhan unsighted as the ball nestled into the net. The goal reignited hopes of a comeback with over 20 minutes still to play.
Sensing the momentum shift, Molina made a triple substitution in the 70th minute, bringing on Dimitrios Petratos, Dippendu Biswas, and Deepak Tangri. Bagan poured men forward, but East Bengal’s defence held firm, repelling waves of attacks with composure and discipline.
The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among the East Bengal faithful, as their side sealed a memorable derby win and a place in the semi-finals. For Mohun Bagan, it was a case of missed opportunities and frustration, as their rivals walked away with bragging rights and progression in the tournament.
