India vs Afghanistan Highlights, 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: India Lose 1-2 vs Afghanistan Despite Sunil Chhetri’s Goal

India vs Afghanistan Live: India defeated!

Sunil Chhetri in tears as India lose the match 1-2 despite taking the lead. The skipper could not have done more and in his absence, the team ended up conceding twice. A big loss for the team and more importantly, head coach Igor Stimac.

India vs Afghanistan Live: AFG take the lead

What a turnaround and Afghanistan have taken the lead. A moment of madness from Gurpreet as he crashed into the Afghanistan striker. Penalty for Afghanistan and Sharif Mukhammad made no mistake. India will be shattered right now.

India vs Afghanistan Live: Tough period of play

India are constantly trying to find a space in the opponent box but the compact defense from Afghanistan has been quite impressive. A couple of threatening crosses but except from a wayward header from Manvir, not much to show for the hosts.

India vs Afghanistan Live: What a save!

Skandari received the ball in midfield and following a solid run, he took a brilliant long-range shot. However, Gurpreet was wary of the danger and a brilliant diving save made sure that the score remained 1-1. What a match this is turning out to be!

India vs Afghanistan Live: AFG make it 1-1

 Rahmat Akbari scores the equaliser and Afghanistan have made it 1-1. A huge defensive error from India and incidentally, it came just minutes after Sunil Chhetri was substituted by head coach Igor Stimac. Tough time ahead of the hosts. 

India vs Afghanistan Live: Big chance for Afghanistan

A good shot from Afghanistan and probably the best chance of the game for the visitors but it was not on target. It sailed way above the goal and relief for India. The past five minutes have seen a lot of attack from Afghanistan and India need to find their rhythm once again.

India vs Afghanistan Live: Setback for India

Apuia has picked up an injury. Not a great news for India but they have the necessary reinforcements on their bench. However, it looks like he will be able to continue.

India vs Afghanistan Live: Wasted opportunities

Two short corners but the strategy did not work out well for India. It has been a good start for the hosts in the second half but as usual, the finishing has been less than satisfactory.

India vs Afghanistan Live: Time for second half

Time for the second half. Advantage India as of now but it takes a few seconds for the situation of any match to completely change. Sunil Chhetri will be looking for more goals while the rest of the team will have to provide proper support.

India vs Afghanistan Live: First half done

It is half-time and advantage India. Cometh the hour, cometh the man – A line apt for Sunil Chhetri. 150th appearance for the national side and he did not fail to score from the spot. A shaky show from India but the goal will be a massive boost.

India vs Afghanistan Live: Chhetri scores

A penalty for India and Sunil Chhetri has done it. 25th, 50th, 75th, 100th, 125th and now 150th – He has scored on every major occasion now. What a fabulous player!

India vs Afghanistan Live: Chances on both sides

End-to-end stuff in the match with both sides creating terrific chances in front of the goal. An effort from Subhasish was just wide of the target while Afghanistan striker’s header was saved brilliantly by Gurpreet.

India vs Afghanistan Live: Yellow card

First booking of the match and the yellow card goes to Brandon Fernandes. Afghanistan were starting to look dangerous on the attack and Brandon had no other choice but to drag the Afghanistan football down near the half-way line.

India vs Afghanistan Live: Testing times

Afghanistan are not going to be completely defensive in this game and they found themselves in a good position in front of the Indian goal. A solid long-range effort but it was thankfully blocked by Anwar Ali and the rebound was wasted by the opposition. 

India vs Afghanistan Live: Wasted corner

A well-placed corner found Rahul Bheke but the finishing was once again weak. A wayward header and no trouble for Afghanistan. One minute later, they had another corner but Subhasish was also unable to produce anything better.

India vs Afghanistan Live: More chances for India

Another chance for India but the finishing has been less than satisfactory as of now. Manvir found himself in a good position but a weak shot ended the attack.

India vs Afghanistan Live: What a chance!

3 minutes on the clock and Sunil Chhetri already had a golden chance to score the opener. A perfect situation for the striker and his deft shot crashed into the post. The rebound fell to Manvir Singh who completely missed the target.

India vs Afghanistan Live: India eye strong start

An early intent from India and the ball found Sunil Chhetri in an absolutely brilliant position but the veteran striker was just offside. Afghanistan also tried to create a couple of attacks but right now, the game is mostly being played in the midfield.

India vs Afghanistan Live: It’s game time

The national anthems are done and it is time for the much-anticipated encounter. Huge match for both teams and with the occasion of Sunil Chhetri’s 150th appearance, a victory will be extra special for India.

India vs Afghanistan Live: Minutes away from the match

We are minutes away from the match and a victory will be very important for the Indian football team. If they can even finish second in Group A, it will guarantee their passage to the next round of qualification.

India vs Afghanistan Live: Other goal threat

All eyes will certainly be on Sunil Chhetri who will be playing his 150th match but the other major goal threat for India will be Manvir Singh. Considered by many as the favourite to succeed Chhetri as the main striker, Manvir has shown glimpses of genius in the past and a good performance will further strengthen his case.

India vs Afghanistan Live: Tricky opponent

Afghanistan have been a tricky opposition for India in the past few years as was evident in their previous meeting. Afghanistan mainly depend on their compact defense in order to keep the Indian wingers at bay and that can once again be their strategy.

India vs Afghanistan Live: Fascinating record

Sunil Chhetri holds the unique record of scoring at least one goal in his first, 25th, 50th, 75th, 100th and 125th match for the Blue Tigers.

India vs Afghanistan Live: Felicitation ceremony

The AIFF announced that they will felicitate Sunil Chhetri on the sidelines of the match against Afghanistan in Guwahati. “In many football fans’ eyes, Chhetri is almost the synonym of the Indian men’s national team. He is a fabulous footballer, a cool captain, and a star striker.” “The All India Football Federation is proud to felicitate him on his 150th international match. We sincerely hope Chhetri will continue to serve Indian football in the same breath in the future,” AIFF acting secretary general M Satyanarayan said.

India vs Afghanistan Live: Massive record

Sunil Chhetri will become the 40th footballer in the world to play 150 or more international matches in the list led by Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (205). Chhetri first donned the senior national jersey on June 12, 2005, in a friendly match against Pakistan in Quetta.

India vs Afghanistan Live: Momentous occasion

The match will be the 150th international game for Sunil Chhetri. The talismanic striker has been a huge part of the Indian side for quite some time and a victory will be the perfect way to celebrate such a momentous occasion.

India vs Afghanistan Live: Hello and welcome

Welcome to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier between India and Afghanistan. The previous match between these two sides ended in a goalless draw. However, with the home advantage on their side, India will certainly have the advantage this time round.