India vs Uruguay: Anirudh Thapa etched his name into Indian football history on a night that ultimately ended in a heavy defeat. The midfielder’s rebound finish briefly gave India hope against two-time world champions Uruguay, but La Celeste responded emphatically to secure a 6-1 victory at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
In front of 37,307 passionate spectators, India showed attacking intent and refused to be overawed by their illustrious opponents. For a short period, the Blue Tigers matched Uruguay’s intensity before the visitors’ quality eventually proved decisive.
Thapa’s goal was particularly significant. He became only the second Indian player to score against Uruguay in a senior international, joining Manas Bhattacharya, who had found the net against the South Americans during India’s 3-1 defeat at the 1982 Nehru Cup in Kolkata.
Uruguay Strike First
Uruguay started aggressively and created their first opening within the opening minutes. Rodrigo Zalazar’s delivery into the Indian box was dealt with by Anwar Ali, but India responded by pushing forward rather than sitting deep.
Akash Mishra’s long throw caused problems in the sixth minute, with Ryan Williams eventually receiving the loose ball before Anwar’s follow-up attempt went wide.
India came close again shortly afterwards. Williams won possession from Maximiliano Araújo and immediately sent Edmund Lalrindika into space. Lalrindika prepared to shoot, but Santiago Mouriño timed his sliding challenge perfectly to prevent the opportunity.
Uruguay eventually broke the deadlock in the 11th minute.
Pramveer’s challenge on Federico Viñas inside the penalty area resulted in a spot-kick. Darwin Núñez stepped up and calmly sent Gurpreet Singh Sandhu the wrong way to put Uruguay ahead.
The visitors nearly doubled their advantage soon after. Núñez collected a long ball and found Zalazar, whose clever lay-off allowed Araújo to strike first time. His effort, however, crashed against the right-hand post.
Thapa Brings India Level
India continued to search for openings and were rewarded in the 23rd minute.
Williams won possession in midfield and drove forward, getting past Emiliano Martínez before unleashing a shot at goal. Uruguay goalkeeper Thiago Cardozo could only parry the effort.
Thapa reacted fastest.
The Indian midfielder reached the loose ball before anyone else and calmly guided it past Cardozo to make it 1-1.
The stadium erupted.
For the home supporters, it was a historic moment — India had not only equalised against Uruguay but had also produced a memorable individual achievement through Thapa.
The joy, however, was short-lived.
Lightning Delays the Game
Just minutes after the equaliser, the match was interrupted because of lightning and severe weather conditions.
What initially appeared to be a routine hydration break turned into a lengthy stoppage of approximately half an hour.
When the players returned, Uruguay immediately regained control.
In the 29th minute, Mouriño found Nahitan Nández in space on the right. Nández sent a low delivery across the face of goal, and Araújo arrived at the right moment to finish from close range.
Uruguay were back in front.
India survived another major scare before half-time when Núñez raced through on goal. Sandhu came off his line bravely and blocked the attempted chip with his face, keeping India within one goal at the interval.
Uruguay Pull Away After the Break
India made two changes at half-time, with Bijoy Varghese and Sahal Abdul Samad entering the game.
But Uruguay quickly began to stretch the Indian defence.
Their third goal arrived in the 53rd minute. Lucas Torreira, introduced from the bench, played a ball over the Indian defensive line. Núñez brought it down before Zalazar took control and fired past Sandhu at the near post.
India attempted to respond, with Williams creating space after beating two opponents, but his effort was comfortably collected by Cardozo.
Uruguay added another six minutes later.
Viñas found Araújo inside the penalty area, and the winger calmly placed his left-footed shot into the bottom corner. It was his second goal of the evening and Uruguay’s fourth.
India continued to create occasional chances despite the growing deficit. Lalengmawia sent an effort narrowly over the crossbar, while Cardozo produced a sharp save in the 70th minute to deny Mohammed Sanan.
Uruguay Punish India on the Counter
India’s attempts to push forward left spaces at the back, and Uruguay exploited them ruthlessly.
A minute after Cardozo’s save, Uruguay broke quickly following an Indian corner. Aguirre released Facundo Pellistri down the right, and the substitute delivered for another substitute, Sanabria, who finished from close range.
The visitors were now firmly in control.
Uruguay completed the scoring in the 87th minute. Pellistri once again played a key role, carrying the ball forward before finding Aguirre. The midfielder then produced a superb curling finish into the top-left corner to make it 6-1.
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Thapa’s Historic Night Amid Defeat
India vs Uruguay: The final score reflected Uruguay’s superiority, but India’s performance had one unforgettable highlight.
Thapa’s equaliser will remain one of the notable moments of the international window. Scoring against a team with Uruguay’s history is a rare achievement for an Indian footballer, and doing so in front of a packed Kolkata crowd made the occasion even more memorable.
However, Uruguay’s response also underlined the gap India still faces against elite international opposition. Once the South Americans regained their lead, their ability to control transitions and punish defensive mistakes changed the complexion of the contest.
India’s Three-Match Window Ends
The Uruguay defeat brought India’s three-match international window to an end.
The Blue Tigers drew against Panama before suffering defeats to Brazil and Uruguay. Across those three matches, India scored two goals and conceded 11, facing three nations that featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The results may not have gone India’s way, but the matches provided valuable exposure against some of international football’s strongest teams.
And on a difficult night in Kolkata, Anirudh Thapa’s historic goal provided India with a moment that will be remembered long after the final whistle.
India Starting XI
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Albino Gomes 78′); Abhishek Singh Tekcham (Mohammed Sanan 65′), Pramveer (Bijoy Varghese 46′), Anwar Ali, Akash Mishra, Anirudh Thapa, Lalengmawia (Ricky Shabong 78′), Manvir Singh (Rahim Ali 78′), Ryan Williams, Edmund Lalrindika (Sahal Abdul Samad 46′), Ashique Kuruniyan (Hmingthanmawia Ralte 65′).
