India’s bid to qualify for the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers suffered a big blow as the visiting Afghanistan inflicted a 2-1 defeat in a second round Group A match at the Indira Gandhi Stadium here on Tuesday.
Sunil Chheri’s 94th international goal from a 36th minute penalty in his 150th appearance for the country gave India the leverage in the opening session. But this advantage was lost in the second half, when the Afghans regrouped well to find two goals and turn the tables on India.
Chhetri could have put India ahead in the third minute, but his attempt on a half turn came off the post and Manvir Singh could not keep his effort on target despite getting the rebound close to the Afghanistan goal.
