India Beat Pakistan 3-2 in SAFF Opener
India survived a late Pakistan fightback to secure a 3-2 victory in their opening Group B match of the SAFF Championship 2026 at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Thursday.
Suhail Ahmad Bhat scored twice in the first half to put the defending champions in control before Manglenthang Kipgen added a third goal. Pakistan received a penalty three minutes after India’s third goal, but Shayak Dost sent the ball above the bar. Then, in stoppage time, Pakistan scored twice to set up a tense finish that India just about survived. Sportstar reported the match on Thursday.
India, nine-time champions, are chasing a record-extending 10th SAFF title. Pakistan, ranked 197th against India’s 138th, were underdogs before kick-off.
Bhat brace puts India 3-0 up
Suhail opened the scoring in the 13th minute, finishing off a move involving Muhammad Suhail, who burst forward from the left flank and delivered a curling cross across the face of goal. Bhat found space behind Pakistan’s centre-backs and finished from close range.
He struck again six minutes later, with Abhishek Suryavanshi providing the assist, to give India a two-goal cushion. Suryavanshi picked up the ball in midfield and carved open the Pakistan defence with a through ball. Bhat timed his run, went one-on-one with the keeper, and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Kipgen made it 3-0 in the 32nd minute. Noufal cut in from the left and picked out Kipgen, who found himself completely unmarked through the middle.
India’s side was far from full strength. The Naushad Moosa-coached team was forced to play with a second-string squad, as several players could not link up with the team while the Indian Super League is in full swing. Clubs could not release players because the FIFA international window starts on November 9, and many players will travel to New Zealand for two friendlies that coincide with the SAFF Championship.
Pakistan miss a penalty, then strike late
Pakistan’s best chance to get back into the game before the break came from the penalty spot, three minutes after India’s third goal. Shayak Dost stepped up and sent the ball above the bar.
The second half stayed quiet until stoppage time. In the 91st minute, Najeeb Ullah jumped highest to head the ball into the goal from a cross by Junaid Shah. Just three minutes later, Alamgir Ghazi controlled a cross with an acrobatic first touch and finished with a falling volley into the near post to make it 3-2.
The two goals came too late to change the result, but they changed the story of the match. A side that had been outplayed for 90 minutes finished the game on the front foot, and India held on through a nervous final couple of minutes.
What the SAFF opener means for Pakistan
The result extends India’s dominance in this fixture. The two sides have met 29 times in senior internationals, with India winning 16 matches, Pakistan four and nine ending in draws. Their most recent meeting before Thursday was at the SAFF Championship 2023 in Bengaluru, where India registered a 4-0 victory.
The build-up had already been troubled. Hotel chaos hit both teams in Dhaka before the opener, with Pakistan’s hotel changed and India waiting hours for rooms. Pakistan named a 28-member squad for the championship, and coach Nolberto Solano had set a semi-final target for the side after a late training camp.
That target is still alive. Only the top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals, and Pakistan’s group contains just three teams: India, Pakistan and the Maldives. A win over the Maldives would almost certainly put Pakistan through, whatever Thursday’s defeat says about the gap to India.
What comes next
Pakistan face the Maldives on November 8, a match that now carries added importance after the opening defeat. India play the Maldives on November 11 in their second Group B fixture.
The semi-finals are scheduled for November 14, with the final on November 17. India will expect to be there. Pakistan must first beat the Maldives, and must defend far better than they did in the first 20 minutes in Dhaka.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score in the SAFF opener?
India beat Pakistan 3-2 at the National Stadium in Dhaka on November 5, 2026.
Who scored for India?
Suhail Ahmad Bhat scored twice, in the 13th and 19th minutes, and Manglenthang Kipgen added the third in the 32nd minute.
Who scored Pakistan’s goals?
Najeeb Ullah headed in during the 91st minute and captain Alamgir Ghazi scored an acrobatic volley in the 94th minute.
What happens next for Pakistan?
Pakistan face the Maldives on November 8. The top two teams from the group advance to the semi-finals on November 14.
