Needing just a point to secure the title and promotion to the Indian Super League 2026–27, Diamond Harbour left it until stoppage time before Hugo Díaz produced the decisive moment that completed a remarkable season for the West Bengal side.

The visitors appeared tense in the opening stages, struggling to settle into their usual rhythm and giving away possession cheaply under pressure from an energetic Dempo side. The hosts looked the more threatening team early on, with Sebastián Gutiérrez creating several dangerous moments but failing to convert.

Despite not being at their attacking best, Diamond Harbour still managed to create opportunities through Mikel Kortazar and Hugo Díaz, though Dempo goalkeeper Ashish Sibi stood firm to keep the game level heading into halftime.

The breakthrough arrived shortly after the restart when Marcus Joseph reacted quickest to a rebound from his blocked free-kick and fired into the top corner to hand Dempo a deserved lead in the 50th minute.

With the title race suddenly alive, Diamond Harbour pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Head coach Kibu Vicuña introduced fresh attacking options, but Dempo continued to threaten on the counter, with Gutiérrez and Aubin Kouakou both coming close to extending the lead.

As heavy rain poured down in the closing stages, conditions became increasingly difficult, and Diamond Harbour looked to be running out of time. However, deep into injury time, substitute Girik Khosla delivered a pinpoint cross into the box where Hugo Díaz rose highest to power home a dramatic equaliser.

The late goal sparked celebrations among the travelling side, confirming Diamond Harbour’s first-ever IFL title and securing promotion to the Indian Super League with a match still to play.

The achievement also marks the club’s third consecutive promotion, having previously won I-League 3 and I-League 2 in successive seasons, completing a remarkable rise through the Indian football pyramid.

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The home side began the match confidently and soon gained control of possession, dictating the tempo throughout the opening half. Despite their dominance, they struggled to find the finishing touch in the final third during the early stages of the game.

The breakthrough finally came deep into first-half stoppage time. In the 45+4 minute, Diamond Harbour launched a quick counter-attack that caught the Dempo defence off guard. Spanish midfielder Antonio Moyano finished the move with a brilliant scoop over the goalkeeper to give the hosts a deserved 1-0 lead going into the break.

Dempo SC responded strongly after half-time and began pushing forward in search of an equaliser. Their persistence paid off in the 55th minute when Marcus Joseph showcased his individual quality by dribbling past two defenders before calmly finishing to level the score at 1-1.

The game remained open as both sides searched for a decisive goal. Diamond Harbour head coach Kibu Vicuña made a crucial substitution that changed the course of the match. In the 70th minute, substitute Bryce Brian Miranda delivered a precise cross into the penalty area where Hugo Díaz was perfectly positioned to finish clinically and restore the home side’s advantage.

Dempo nearly found another equaliser in the 76th minute when Marcus Joseph came close to scoring again, but his effort struck the crossbar. The visitors continued to apply pressure in the closing stages, especially during seven minutes of added time, but Diamond Harbour’s defence remained composed.

The final whistle confirmed a memorable 2-1 victory for Diamond Harbour FC, marking their first win in the competition and a historic milestone for the club.

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