HighLights
  1. Khalid Jamil’s side showed encouraging signs in the opening half.
  2. Uruguay took the lead in the 11th minute after India conceded a penalty.
  3. Rodrigo Aguirre completed the scoring in the 86th minute.

India’s demanding international break ended with another heavy defeat as the Blue Tigers suffered a 6-1 loss against two-time FIFA World Cup champions Uruguay at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Tuesday.

Despite the scoreline, Khalid Jamil’s side showed encouraging signs in the opening half and even found a way back into the contest through Anirudh Thapa.

India had already faced Panama and Brazil during the window, drawing 1-1 with Panama before suffering a 4-0 defeat against five-time world champions Brazil.

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The Uruguay clash was another test against a side ranked far higher than India, but the Blue Tigers showed greater attacking intent before Uruguay pulled away after the break.

Núñez Gives Uruguay Early Lead

Uruguay took the lead in the 11th minute after India conceded a penalty. Darwin Núñez stepped up from the spot and made no mistake, putting the visitors 1-0 ahead.

India, however, responded impressively. Anirudh Thapa restored parity in the 22nd minute, finishing after Ryan Williams' effort was saved by Uruguay goalkeeper Thiago Cardozo. Thapa reacted quickest to the rebound and fired it into the net to make it 1-1.

The goal gave India renewed belief, and Jamil’s players continued to compete against Uruguay rather than simply sitting deep.

Maxi Araújo Restores Uruguay Lead

The visitors eventually regained control in the 28th minute when Maximiliano Araújo put Uruguay ahead again. Nahitan Nández provided the assist as Araújo found the net to make it 2-1.

India went into the break trailing by just one goal, having produced one of their more encouraging attacking displays of the international window.

However, the second half proved a completely different story.

Rodrigo Zalazar extended Uruguay’s advantage in the 53rd minute, before Araújo struck again six minutes later to complete his brace. Juan Manuel Sanabria then added a fifth in the 71st minute.

Rodrigo Aguirre completed the scoring in the 86th minute as Uruguay sealed a 6-1 victory.

India Showed Positive Signs Despite Defeat

The final score was harsh on India, particularly considering the way the team competed during the opening 45 minutes. Thapa’s goal was another positive moment for a side that had already scored against Panama through Ryan Williams earlier in the window.

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India also showed greater confidence in possession and on the counter during the first half, continuing a pattern that had emerged during the Brazil game.

Khalid Jamil had stressed before the Uruguay clash that his team needed to reduce costly mistakes and show sharper concentration after the Brazil defeat.

The three-match window therefore ended with one draw and two defeats, but it gave India valuable exposure against Panama, Brazil and Uruguay, all teams with World Cup experience. 


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