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India opened their SAFF Championship 2026 campaign with a 3-2 win over Pakistan in Dhaka. Suhail Ahmed Bhat scored twice and Manglenthang Kipgen made it 3-0 before Pakistan scored twice in stoppage time.
India beat Pakistan 3-2 in their opening match of the 2026 SAFF Championship at Dhaka’s National Stadium on Thursday, with Suhail Ahmed Bhat scoring twice for the defending champions. India led 3-0 before Pakistan scored two goals in stoppage time, narrowing the final margin but not changing the result.
India took control early, with Bhat opening the scoring after a team move ended in a low cross from Mohammed Suhail. The centre-forward then doubled the lead after being sent through on goal, finishing past Pakistan goalkeeper Yousuf Butt. India’s third came when Noufal played Manglenthang Kipgen into space; Kipgen went one-on-one with Butt and chipped the ball into the net.
Pakistan had an opportunity to respond before halftime when India’s Abhishek Suryavanshi fouled Hayyan Khattak in the penalty area. Shayak Dost took the resulting penalty but sent his shot over the goal. India remained ahead 3-0 at the break and, according to ESPN’s match report, dominated possession and midfield during much of the first half.
Pakistan’s late goals came after India’s intensity dipped in the second half. In stoppage time, Najeebullah headed in a cross from Junaid Shah to make it 3-1. A couple of minutes later, Alamgir Ghazi controlled the ball with his first touch and scored from a narrow angle while turning and falling. The comeback arrived too late to prevent India’s win.
India Start Their Title Defence
The result gives India three points at the start of their campaign as they seek to defend the title. The match also showed two sharply different phases: India’s first-half attacking control and Pakistan’s late ability to create danger. The final score was close, but Pakistan’s two goals came only in stoppage time after India had built a three-goal lead.
For Pakistan, the late rally offers a positive attacking note but leaves the team needing a result in its next match to keep its campaign on track. The scoreline alone does not establish how either side will perform in later games; India’s lineup and the timing of Pakistan’s goals are relevant factors when judging this opener.
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A Changed India Lineup in Dhaka
ESPN reported that India fielded a second-string side. Many players from the squad were occupied with the ongoing Indian Super League, while India’s first team was scheduled to play New Zealand during the international break. The report identified Noushad Moosa as India’s coach and Nolberto Solano as Pakistan’s coach.
The match was the opening fixture of the SAFF Championship 2026, held at the National Stadium in Dhaka. India’s early three-goal advantage appeared to put the game beyond reach, but Pakistan’s two stoppage-time finishes made the closing moments more competitive than the preceding scoreline suggested.
““The first half was not good. We could have scored [with the penalty]. We were better in the second, but we scored too late.””
— Alamgir Ghazi, Pakistan forward
Pakistan’s Route After the Opener
The supplied report does not give the full standings, the complete match schedule or details of the teams’ remaining group fixtures. Ghazi said Pakistan needed to win its second game and referred to players arriving in time for the semifinal, but the report does not specify which players he meant or confirm their availability. It also does not provide a full account of the second-half possession or chances, so the reasons for India’s dip in intensity cannot be established beyond the match description.
The Next Group Match Matters
India and Pakistan move on to their remaining SAFF Championship matches following the opener. Ghazi said Pakistan must win its second game and voiced hope that players would arrive in time for a semifinal; that is his stated outlook, not confirmation of who will be available or what qualification scenarios will apply. The next fixtures and updated standings will show what the 3-2 result means for each team’s route through the competition.
Key Questions
What was the final score of India vs. Pakistan?
India won 3-2 in the SAFF Championship 2026 opener at Dhaka’s National Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 5.
Who scored for India?
Suhail Ahmed Bhat scored twice, and Manglenthang Kipgen scored India’s third goal.
Who scored Pakistan’s goals?
Najeebullah and Alamgir Ghazi scored in stoppage time, reducing India’s lead from 3-0 to 3-2.
Did Pakistan have a chance to score before halftime?
Yes. Pakistan won a penalty after Abhishek Suryavanshi fouled Hayyan Khattak in the area, but Shayak Dost sent the spot-kick over the goal.
What happens next for Pakistan?
Pakistan continues its group campaign. Ghazi said the team needed to win its second game, but the supplied report does not provide the next fixture details or confirm player availability.
Source: espn.in
