SportsPosted at: Oct 6 2026 10:36PM


Thapa goal not enough as Uruguay overwhelm India 6-1 in international friendly

Kolkata, Oct 6 (UNI) Three days after a 4-0 thrashing by Brazil, India suffered another heavy
defeat as two-time world champions Uruguay cruised to a 6-1 win over the hosts in an
international friendly at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Tuesday.

The result brought a disappointing end to India’s international window, which began with a 1-1 draw against Panama in Bengaluru on September 25 before successive defeats to Brazil and Uruguay.

India matched the world No. 20 side for much of the opening 26 minutes, with Anirudh Thapa cancelling out Darwin Nunez’s early penalty. Uruguay, however, gradually took control and their superior quality began to show as the game progressed.

Maxi Araujo scored twice, while Rodrigo Zalazar, Rodrigo Aguirre and Juan Sanabria were also on target for the visitors. India, ranked 138th in the world, struggled to contain Uruguay’s pace and quality after the break.

The Blue Tigers did have a few encouraging spells in the second half and looked to push forward whenever they had possession. Substitute Mohammed Sanan produced one of their better moments, testing Uruguay goalkeeper Thiago Cardozo with a shot from the edge of the box.

The match was suspended for 34 minutes after lightning and thunder forced both teams off the field, with the score 1-1.

Uruguay had taken the lead in the 11th minute when Nunez converted from the penalty spot after Pramveer was adjudged to have fouled Federico Vinas.

India responded through Thapa in the 22nd minute. Cardozo had parried Ryan Williams’ effort from the edge of the box, and the Mohun Bagan midfielder reacted quickly to the rebound before calmly slotting the ball into the net.

The goal lifted the atmosphere inside the largely empty Salt Lake Stadium, but the players were soon forced off as lightning and rain intensified. A public announcement asked spectators to move to designated covered areas for their safety.

When play resumed, Uruguay returned with greater intensity and eventually pulled away to underline the gulf in quality between the two sides.
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Tags: #Thapa goal not enough as Uruguay overwhelm India 6-1 in international friendly
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