Lower on the list In the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Guwahati on Tuesday, despite talisman Sunil Chhetri’s 94th international goal in his 150th outing, Afghanistan surprised India 2-1 as the host team suffered one of its most painful defeats in recent years.
A Quick Recap
In his historic performance, Chhetri scored from the spot in the 37th minute of India’s home-leg match in the second round of the combined qualifications for the World Cup and the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. This came after Haroon Amiri touched the ball inside the area.
Afghanistan counterattacked, putting three forwards up front, and equalized in the 71st minute when Rahmat Akbari struck from beyond the box and the ball deflected and went through Rahul Bheke’s knees to make it 1-1.
With just two minutes remaining in regulation time, disaster struck for the Indians when a charging Gurpreet Singh was given a yellow card. Sharif Mukhammad converted the ensuing penalty (88′) to give his team a 2-1 lead.
Sunil Chhetri’s Magic At The FIFA World Cup Qualifier
The crowd that flocked to the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in anticipation of a superb performance from their beloved football player was ecstatic when 39-year-old Chhetri defeated the visiting custodian with enough power in his shot. Afghanistan goalie Ovays Azizi correctly predicted the amount of time left on the clock.
Following a brief period of nonstop end-to-end attacks, Chhetri’s goal put India ahead at halftime. They managed to hold onto their lead until Rahmat Akbari tied the score in the 71st minute, and then Mukhammad’s goal ended Indian hopes as the visitors took home three points.
India Meets Disappointment At The FIFA World Qualifier
Liston Colaco nearly doubled India’s lead well before that. However, the Afghans were able to get the ball back from him since he was unable to control it.
Manvir Singh had a simple opportunity to put India ahead early in the game, but his effort off the rebound after a Chhetri shot rattled the woodwork went over the net.
Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco, and Chhetri were replaced by Anirudh Thapa, Naorem Mahesh, and Lallianzuala Chhangte in the three substitutions made by India coach Igor Stimac.
However, the visitors discovered the equalizer, and these adjustments had little effect in maintaining India’s supremacy. India was in for a worse surprise when the foreigners managed to break another Indian heart by putting one past a helpless Sandhu.
India and Afghanistan drew their first-leg match 0-0 on March 22 at Abha, Saudi Arabia.
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