A year ago, Indian Super League (ISL) side NorthEast United FC were the surprise package of Indian football. Very few must have tipped them to win the Durand Cup 2024 and they stunned everyone by clawing back from two goals down against 2023 winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the final before prevailing on penalties. It was their first major trophy.

Fast forward twelve months and the narrative is no longer about a miracle. The Highlanders have transformed into cup specialists, lifting their second consecutive Durand Cup title with a swagger that left little doubt about their superiority. Their 6-1 demolition of Diamond Harbour FC in the 2025 final was not just a victory but a statement.

Diamond Harbour FC, after all, were no pushovers. They had knocked out Jamshedpur FC and East Bengal FC en route to the final, earning a reputation as giant-killers. Yet against NorthEast United FC they were swamped. Six different goalscorers, including new signings Andy Rodriguez and Jairo Samperio, underlined the depth and dynamism of this NEUFC side. The final whistle confirmed not just back-to-back champions but a team that now looks at home on the biggest stages.

From fairytale to expectation

The 2024 triumph was built on grit. Few had given NEUFC a chance and their run to the title felt like a fairytale, capped by their heroic comeback against Mohun Bagan Super Giant. At the time, it seemed a special win, the kind of story that makes cup football special.

In 2025, the script was different. No longer underdogs, the Highlanders entered the tournament among the favourites. They carried the weight of expectation and handled it with ease. Where last year’s journey was about defying the odds, this year’s was about embracing them.

Placed in a tricky group, NorthEast United FC ended up as winners. They went unbeaten securing seven points. Their sternest test came against Shillong Lajong FC and they pushed them hard. In that match, the Highlanders displayed the resilience of champions, netting a late winner to secure three points.

If the group stage was about resilience, the knockouts were about dominance.

The quarterfinals saw NorthEast United FC brush aside Bodoland FC with a commanding 4-0 win. The semifinals brought another meeting with Shillong Lajong FC. The 1-0 scoreline suggested a tight affair but the reality was a display of control. NorthEast United FC’s defence was disciplined, their midfield relentless and their opponents rarely threatened. It was the kind of performance where the Highlanders did just enough while never losing grip of the game.

And then came the final. Against a confident Diamond Harbour FC side, the Highlanders unleashed their full arsenal. Six goals from six different players told the story of a collective unit rather than individual brilliance. It was a final that cemented their status as the most dominant side in the tournament.

Making history

Back-to-back Durand Cup triumphs have put NorthEast United FC in rare company. They became the first side since 1991 to successfully defend the title, an achievement that rewrites their identity in Indian football.

For years, the club was seen as strugglers in the ISL, often starved of success. Now, they have carved a reputation as a team that thrives in knockout competitions. From the chaos of 2024 to the control of 2025, the Highlanders have shown they are no longer outsiders. They are no longer content with being the surprise package. They have mastered the art of the cup and Indian football will have to take notice.

Related tags:

NorthEast United FC