Mohun Bagan 1-2 East Bengal: Diamantakos Double Secures Kolkata Derby Triumph. The Greek striker, introduced as an early substitute, scored twice, including a penalty, to secure East Bengal’s place in the semifinals against Diamond Harbour. Anirudh Thapa’s late strike gave Mohun Bagan hope, but East Bengal’s defensive resilience and clinical finishing sealed a memorable win. This report provides a detailed analysis of the match, its key moments, tactical battles, and the broader significance of the result in the context of Indian football’s fiercest rivalry. 
Match ContextThe Kolkata Derby, one of Asia’s most storied football rivalries, returned to the Durand Cup with both teams vying for a semifinal spot. East Bengal, coached by Oscar Bruzon, entered the match with confidence after topping their group, despite the absence of key midfielder Mohammed Rashid due to personal reasons. Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the reigning Indian Super League (ISL) champions under Jose Molina, were favorites, having dominated recent derbies, including a 2-1 win in the Calcutta Football League (CFL) on July 26, 2025. The historical head-to-head record stood at 397 matches, with East Bengal leading 140-131, though Mohun Bagan held a slight edge in recent encounters.Played in front of a passionate crowd at the Salt Lake Stadium, the match was a test of both teams’ credentials in the 134th edition of the Durand Cup, India’s oldest football tournament. East Bengal aimed to reverse their recent derby struggles, while Mohun Bagan sought to assert their dominance and progress toward another title.
First Half: East Bengal Take the LeadThe match kicked off at 7:00 PM IST, with East Bengal starting aggressively, attacking from right to left. The Red and Gold Brigade’s starting XI featured Prabhsukhan Gill in goal, a backline of Anwar Ali, Lalchungnunga, Kevin Sibille, and Mohamad Rakip, and a midfield led by captain Saul Crespo. Hamid Ahadad started up top alongside Bipin Singh, with Miguel Ferreira and Edmund Lalrindika providing flair. Mohun Bagan’s lineup included Vishal Kaith in goal, a defense of Tom Aldred, Alberto Rodriguez, Passang Tamang, and Asish Rai, and a midfield anchored by Anirudh Thapa and Apuia, with Jamie Maclaren leading the attack.East Bengal set the tone early, with Ahadad testing Kaith in the 3rd minute with a shot from an angle, which the Mohun Bagan goalkeeper saved. The opening 10 minutes saw East Bengal dominate possession, with Ferreira’s long-range effort in the 10th minute deflected wide. Mohun Bagan struggled to find their rhythm, with Sahal Abdul Samad’s passes lacking precision, as noted in the 12th minute when Passang failed to connect with an overhit ball.
A significant blow for East Bengal came in the 16th minute when Ahadad suffered an injury and was replaced by Dimitrios Diamantakos. The Greek striker made an immediate impact, injecting pace into the attack. In the 26th minute, controversy erupted when East Bengal scored from a quick free-kick after Tom Aldred’s foul, but referee Venkatesh called it back, ruling out the goal. Ferreira’s subsequent free-kick sailed over the bar, keeping the score at 0-0.The game’s first major turning point arrived in the 36th minute. Asish Rai’s foul on Bipin Singh in the box prompted the referee to award a penalty after a brief review. Diamantakos stepped up and fired a low, powerful shot to Kaith’s left, giving East Bengal a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute. Despite Kaith diving the right way, the shot’s power was unstoppable. Mohun Bagan responded with their first shot on target in the 45+4th minute, as Apuia’s long-range effort whistled past the post. The half ended with East Bengal leading 1-0, their dominance reflected in their control of possession (58%) and three shots on target compared to Mohun Bagan’s one.
Second Half: Diamantakos Doubles Up, Thapa RespondsMohun Bagan made a tactical change at halftime, introducing Jason Cummings for Passang Tamang to bolster their attack. The second half began with both teams trading chances. In the 47th minute, Sahal Abdul Samad combined with a teammate for a one-two, but his shot was deflected wide. East Bengal countered in the 49th minute through Ferreira, whose grounded cross was intercepted by Aldred before it could reach Diamantakos.
The Red and Gold Brigade extended their lead in the 52nd minute. Mahesh Singh powered into the box and laid the ball off to Diamantakos, who controlled, turned, and fired a shot that took a slight deflection off Alberto Rodriguez before beating Kaith. The Greek striker’s celebration, which saw him remove his jersey, earned him a yellow card, but the East Bengal faithful erupted as their team took a 2-0 lead. The goal highlighted Diamantakos’ clinical finishing and East Bengal’s ability to exploit Mohun Bagan’s defensive lapses.Mohun Bagan responded with renewed urgency. In the 58th minute, Liston Colaco’s cross found Cummings unmarked, but Kevin Sibille’s last-ditch clearance prevented a goal. Tensions rose in the 55th minute when Asish Rai fouled Lalchungnunga, sparking a confrontation. The Mariners’ pressure paid off in the 68th minute when Anirudh Thapa curled a stunning long-range shot into the net, reducing the deficit to 2-1. The goal, described as a “quietly bouncing” strike, reignited Mohun Bagan’s hopes and set up a tense final 20 minutes.Jose Molina made a triple substitution in the 70th minute, bringing on Deepak Tangri, Dippendu Biswas, and Dimitrios Petratos to chase an equalizer. East Bengal countered with their own triple change in the 80th minute, introducing Souvik Chakrabarti, PV Vishnu, and David Lalhlansanga for Mahesh Singh, Edmund Lalrindika, and another player to shore up their defense. Mohun Bagan’s Asish Rai tested Gill with a thumping shot in the 72nd minute, but the East Bengal goalkeeper made a fingertip save.As the match entered its final stages, East Bengal adopted a defensive approach, “parking the bus” to protect their lead, as noted in the 65th-minute update. Mohun Bagan’s relentless attacks saw Sahal and Cummings create chances, but Anwar Ali’s tackle on Sahal in the 61st minute exemplified East Bengal’s defensive resolve. In the 84th minute, Saul Crespo won a crucial free-kick after shielding the ball from Asish Rai, easing the pressure.The 90+3rd minute saw tempers flare as Lalchungnunga and Petratos clashed after Crespo was fouled, reflecting the derby’s intensity. Diamantakos nearly completed a hat-trick in the same minute, but his effort was saved by Kaith. Six minutes of added time gave Mohun Bagan hope, but East Bengal held firm, with Vishnu earning a corner in the 90+1st minute to run down the clock. The final whistle sparked celebrations in the East Bengal dugout, as they secured a 2-1 victory and a semifinal berth.
Key Moments
36th Minute: Dimitrios Diamantakos converts a penalty after Asish Rai’s foul on Bipin Singh, giving East Bengal a 1-0 lead.
52nd Minute: Diamantakos scores his second, assisted by Mahesh Singh, with a deflected shot doubling East Bengal’s advantage.
68th Minute: Anirudh Thapa’s curling long-range strike pulls one back for Mohun Bagan, making it 2-1.
90+3rd Minute: A brawl erupts after Lalchungnunga and Petratos clash, encapsulating the derby’s passion.
Full-Time: East Bengal’s defensive resilience secures a 2-1 win, ending Mohun Bagan’s hopes of a comeback.
Tactical Analysis
East Bengal employed a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Crespo and Ferreira anchoring the midfield and Bipin Singh providing width. Diamantakos’ early introduction proved a masterstroke, as his physicality and finishing disrupted Mohun Bagan’s defense. Oscar Bruzon’s side balanced attacking intent with defensive solidity, particularly in the second half, where they sat deep to protect their lead. Anwar Ali and Kevin Sibille were colossal at the back, with Lalchungnunga and Rakip neutralizing Mohun Bagan’s wingers.
Mohun Bagan’s 4-3-3 relied on Sahal Abdul Samad’s creativity and Liston Colaco’s pace, but their lack of cohesion in the first half allowed East Bengal to dominate. Jose Molina’s halftime introduction of Cummings shifted the dynamics, with Thapa’s goal showcasing their attacking potential. However, defensive errors, particularly Rodriguez’s deflection for the second goal, proved costly. Mohun Bagan’s late triple substitution added energy, but East Bengal’s compact shape limited their chances.
Standout PerformersDimitrios Diamantakos (East Bengal): The Greek striker’s brace, including a penalty and a deflected strike, was decisive. His composure and physical presence turned the game in East Bengal’s favor.
Saul Crespo (East Bengal): The captain led by example, winning key duels and a crucial free-kick in the 84th minute to ease pressure.Anirudh Thapa (Mohun Bagan): His stunning 68th-minute goal kept Mohun Bagan in the contest, and his midfield presence was a constant threat.Kevin Sibille (East Bengal): The defender’s clearance in the 58th minute and solid defending were pivotal in securing the win.
Significance of the Result
East Bengal’s victory marked a significant moment in the Kolkata Derby, ending Mohun Bagan’s recent dominance. The Red and Gold Brigade’s last derby win was in the 2023 Durand Cup, and this result reaffirmed their credentials as title contenders. The win sets up a semifinal clash against Diamond Harbour, offering East Bengal a chance to reach the Durand Cup final for the first time since 2019.
For Mohun Bagan, the defeat was a setback in their pursuit of a second consecutive Durand Cup title. Despite their ISL championship pedigree, defensive lapses and a lack of early cohesion cost them dearly. Jose Molina will look to regroup as they shift focus to the ISL season, where they remain favorites.
Broader ContextThe Kolkata Derby’s intensity, with 397 meetings and a near-even head-to-head record (East Bengal 140, Mohun Bagan 131, 126 draws), underscores its status as a cultural and sporting phenomenon. The Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest football tournament, provided the perfect stage for this clash, with the Salt Lake Stadium’s electric atmosphere amplifying the stakes. East Bengal’s victory shifts the narrative in their favor, boosting morale ahead of the ISL season, while Mohun Bagan will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities.
East Bengal’s 2-1 triumph over Mohun Bagan in the Durand Cup 2025 quarterfinal was a testament to their resilience, tactical discipline, and clinical finishing. Dimitrios Diamantakos’ brace, coupled with a robust defensive display, secured a famous Kolkata Derby win, propelling the Red and Gold Brigade into the semifinals.
Mohun Bagan’s late fightback, led by Anirudh Thapa, was not enough to overcome their early struggles, highlighting areas for improvement. As East Bengal prepare to face Diamond Harbour, this victory will resonate with fans, reaffirming their pride in one of football’s greatest rivalries. The Kolkata Derby, as always, delivered drama, passion, and unforgettable moments.
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