Kolkata: A revamped East Bengal, inspired by Greek striker Dimitrios Diamantakos’ stunning brace, shocked arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant 2-1 in a fiery Kolkata Derby to storm into the quarterfinal of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday.

Brought on as an 18th-minute substitute after Moroccan forward Hamid Ahadad limped off, Diamantakos turned game-changer. The 32-year-old coolly converted from the penalty spot in the 38th minute, before doubling East Bengal’s lead just seven minutes into the second half with a sharp turn and finish that left the ISL champions’ defence flat-footed.

Mohun Bagan pulled one back through Anirudh Thapa’s thunderous long-range strike in the 68th minute, but East Bengal’s resolute backline held firm in a tense finale to clinch their first top-level derby win over Bagan in more than 18 months. 

The victory sets up a blockbuster quarterfinal clash against fellow Kolkata side Diamond Harbour FC on August 20. The debutants earlier stunned Jamshedpur FC 2-0 in Jamshedpur.

For 16-time champions East Bengal, this triumph was about more than just progress — it ended a painful losing streak against their bitter rivals. Since their 3-1 Super Cup win in January 2024, the Red and Gold had lost four straight top-level derbies, while Mohun Bagan remained unbeaten in 10 ISL meetings (nine wins, one draw). The result also served as sweet revenge for the 2023 Durand Cup final defeat, where East Bengal fell 0-1.

The derby lived up to its billing, delivering controversy, drama, and end-to-end action before a packed Salt Lake Stadium. East Bengal thought they had scored from a quickly taken free-kick in the 26th minute, only for referee R Venkatesh to call it back. Soon after, Diamantakos had the ball in the net but was ruled offside, while appeals for a penalty on Edmund Lalrindika were waved away. At the other end, Bagan won a spot-kick after Asish Rai fouled Bipin Singh, and Diamantakos made no mistake from 12 yards.

After the restart, Oscar Bruzón’s men carried the momentum. In the 52nd minute, Diamantakos trapped a pass with his back to goal, spun sharply, and fired home with the aid of a deflection to double East Bengal’s lead. Mohun Bagan responded with late pressure, with Sahal Abdul Samad’s effort cleared off the line and Liston Colaco rattling the crossbar, before Thapa’s wonder strike gave them hope.

But East Bengal, roared on by their fans, survived wave after wave of attacks to clinch a famous win, sparking wild celebrations and reigniting the city’s century-old rivalry with fresh fire.