IFL 2025-26: Diamond Harbor earns ISL promotion after late Díaz goal seals IFL title

Late drama unfolded at the PJN Stadium in Goa on Sunday as Hugo Díaz’s injury-time goal earned Diamond Harbor FC a 1-1 draw against Dempo SC, helping them win the 2025-2026 Indian Football League title and secure promotion to the 2026-2027 Indian Super League.

Needing just a point to wrap up the title, Diamond Harbor trailed from the 50th minute after Marcus Joseph put Dempo ahead. Díaz’s goal in the first minute of stoppage time took the West Bengal side to 29 points, sealing their first IFL title with a match to spare.

Diamond Harbor has now won three promotions in as many seasons, having won I-League 3 and I-League 2 in the previous campaigns.

The visitor showed signs of nervousness in the first half hour, misplacing simple passes and lacking clarity in attack. The first chance of the match was for Dempo after a misplaced pass from the Diamond Harbor defense, but Sebastián Gutiérrez sent his effort narrowly wide.

Dempo, who played without pressure, looked sharper in the build-up and made good use of Diamond Harbour’s mistakes, but was unable to capitalize. Gutiérrez pulled another long-range effort wide before José Luis Moreno deflected a corner towards goal, with Melroy Assisi clearing the ball off the line.

At the other end, despite looking below its usual attacking standards, Diamond Harbor created two good chances. Mikel Kortazar shot over after reaching a set-piece throw, before Dempo goalkeeper Ashish Sibi produced a fine save to deny Díaz, who had found space in the penalty area after a long throw-in.

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Dempo provided some nerve-wracking moments in the Diamond Harbor box, with Joseph creating openings for his teammates, but the visitor defended resolutely to go into half-time at 0-0.

Dempo was rewarded for his perseverance five minutes after the restart. The hosts won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area after Seigoumang Doungel was brought down by K. Ajith Kumar. Joseph’s initial effort was blocked by the wall, but the striker reacted quickest to the rebound and shot into the top corner before the defender or goalkeeper could react, scoring his eighth goal of the season.

Kibu Vicuña responded by introducing Luka Majcen, Bryce Miranda and R. Ramdinthara, but the changes did not immediately produce clear opportunities to trouble the Dempo defense.

Dempo continued to look the more threatening side, with Gutiérrez causing problems in the Diamond Harbor half. Aubin Kouakou rose highest to meet a free-kick from Gutiérrez, but the defender was denied by a sharp low save from Dheeraj Singh.

Diamond Harbor seemed short of ideas and heavy rain falling in the final ten minutes made conditions more difficult for both sides. However, after eight minutes of injury time were added, the visitor managed to find his way back.

Substitute Girik Khosla delivered an accurate cross into the penalty area for Díaz, who drifted away from his marker, timed his jump well and planted a header into the net, sealing the point that confirmed Diamond Harbor’s title and promotion.

Published on May 17, 2026