Kolkata : In a fiercely contested Kolkata Derby quarterfinal match of the Durand Cup 2025 held at the Salt Lake Stadium on August 17, East Bengal emerged victorious with a hard-fought 2-1 win over their archrivals Mohun Bagan. The game was defined by the remarkable impact of Greek striker Dimitrios Diamantakos, who came off the bench as an early substitute and scored both goals for the Red and Golds. Mohun Bagan managed to pull one goal back through Anirudh Thapa, but it wasn’t enough to stop East Bengal from progressing to the semifinals.
East Bengal controlled much of the match play, and their dominance was reflected in Diamantakos’s first goal from the penalty spot in the 38th minute. Just seven minutes into the second half, Diamantakos doubled East Bengal’s lead with a clinical finish that left Mohun Bagan’s defense in disarray. Despite Mohun Bagan’s spirited attempts to claw back into the game, including Thapa’s late goal, East Bengal’s resilient defense held firm till the final whistle amid a vibrant atmosphere with over 80,000 fans in attendance.
This victory not only ended East Bengal’s wait for a derby win this season but also kept alive their hopes in the prestigious Durand Cup by securing a semifinal spot, where they will face Diamond Harbour FC. The match was a high-intensity, emotionally charged battle symbolizing the fierce rivalry between the two Kolkata giants and offered fans everything they hoped for—superb goals, drama, and relentless competition. East Bengal’s tactical discipline and Diamantakos’ brilliance were the keys to this memorable win.
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