Diamond Harbour FC edge title after 5-2 comeback stuns Rajasthan United
Synopsis
Diamond Harbour's 5-2 demolition of Rajasthan United was less a contest than a coronation. Down 2-0 at half-time, the Kolkata side exposed Rajasthan's defensive vulnerabilities with relentless wing play and midfield control. With a 28-point lead and 12 matches done, the title is Diamond Harbour's to lose.
Key Takeaways
Diamond Harbour FC defeated Rajasthan United FC 5-2 in IFL 2025–26 Championship Phase on Friday at Kalyani Stadium .
Down 2-0 at half-time after Gerard Artigas brace, Diamond Harbour scored five unanswered goals to seal the comeback.
Kevin Ademola and Hugo Díaz Rodríguez each scored twice; Wahengbam Angousana Luwang added the fourth.
Diamond Harbour now lead with 28 points from 12 matches ; Rajasthan are mathematically eliminated from title contention.
Rajasthan 's defensive collapse in the second half, particularly on set-pieces and tracking runners, proved costly.
Diamond Harbour FC moved within touching distance of the Star Cement Indian Football League 2025–26 title on Friday, storming back from 2-0 down to demolish Rajasthan United FC 5-2 at Kalyani Stadium. The victory extends the Kolkata club's lead to 28 points from 12 matches, while Rajasthan — now fourth with 17 points — are mathematically eliminated from contention.
Rajasthan's early dominance crumbles
Gerard Artigas put Rajasthan ahead in the fifth minute, driving from the left and placing past goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem. The Spaniard doubled the lead in the 27th minute with a long-range strike after Pranjal Bhumij found him outside the box. Despite Diamond Harbour's early territorial control and wing-heavy approach through Halicharan Narzary and Jobby Justin, the visitors had seized the initiative.
The comeback begins
Kevin Ademola reduced the deficit in the 41st minute, nodding home from Justin's far-post cross. Hugo Díaz Rodríguez levelled in stoppage time at the end of the first half after Rajasthan goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri failed to claim a Narzary cross cleanly. The hosts resumed the second half with renewed intensity, and Ademola completed his brace in the 53rd minute following a Justin cutback from the right.
Defensive collapse seals Rajasthan's fate
Rajasthan's backline disintegrated in the final stages. Wahengbam Angousana Luwang added a fourth in the 88th minute when his inswinging corner somehow evaded the crowd and crept past Malla. Two minutes later, Díaz made it five with a first-time finish at the far post after Bryce Brian Miranda's precise cutback. Malla kept the scoreline respectable with a late save from Justin's finesse attempt.
What the result means
With 28 points from 12 matches, Diamond Harbour holds a commanding advantage in the Championship Phase. Rajasthan's defensive frailties — particularly tracking runners in the box and set-piece vulnerability — have left them unable to mount a title challenge. The hosts' ability to sustain pressure through the flanks and win the midfield battle proved decisive in the second half.
Looking ahead
Diamond Harbour will look to consolidate their position in upcoming fixtures, while Rajasthan face the challenge of rebuilding confidence after a heavy defeat that has ended their season's ambitions.
Point of View
Yet conceded five in the second — a defensive implosion that speaks to structural fragility rather than a single lapse. For Diamond Harbour, the 28-point lead with games in hand suggests the title race is effectively over. The real question now is margin of victory, not whether they finish first.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Diamond Harbour vs Rajasthan United match?
Diamond Harbour FC defeated Rajasthan United FC 5-2 in an IFL 2025–26 Championship Phase fixture at Kalyani Stadium on Friday. The hosts came back from 2-0 down to win decisively.
Who scored in the match?
Gerard Artigas scored twice for Rajasthan United in the first half. For Diamond Harbour, Kevin Ademola scored two, Hugo Díaz Rodríguez scored two, and Wahengbam Angousana Luwang scored one.
What does the result mean for the IFL title race?
Diamond Harbour FC now lead the Championship Phase with 28 points from 12 matches, effectively clinching the title race. Rajasthan United, with 17 points, are mathematically eliminated from contention for the top spot.
How did Rajasthan United lose control of the match?
Despite leading 2-0 at half-time, Rajasthan United's defence collapsed in the second half. Poor tracking of runners in the box and set-piece vulnerabilities allowed Diamond Harbour to score five unanswered goals and seal a comprehensive victory.
Where was the match played?
The match was played at Kalyani Stadium in West Bengal on Friday, 8 May 2025, as part of the IFL 2025–26 Championship Phase.
