India’s Fightback Falls Short as Uruguay Seal 6-1 Win

by Chandler D'silva October 7, 2026

India’s three-match international friendly window ended on a disappointing note as Uruguay defeated the Blue Tigers 6-1 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. India showed plenty of fight early on and even managed to level the score through Anirudh Thapa, but the two-time world champions eventually took complete control of the contest.

Uruguay took the lead in the 11th minute after Pramveer Singh’s challenge inside the box resulted in a penalty. Darwin Núñez stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to put the visitors ahead.

India responded impressively and found an equaliser in the 22nd minute. Ryan Williams’ effort was spilled by Uruguay goalkeeper Thiago Cardozo, allowing Anirudh Thapa to react quickest and finish from close range, sending the home crowd into celebration.

The match was then temporarily halted because of thunder and lightning around the Salt Lake Stadium, forcing both teams and the match officials to leave the pitch for safety. Play resumed after a delay of around 35-40 minutes, but the interruption was followed by a decisive shift in momentum.

Uruguay regained the lead soon after the restart when Maximiliano Araújo finished from close range in the 28th minute. The visitors then pulled away in the second half, with Rodrigo Zalazar making it 3-1 in the 53rd minute before Araújo added his second in the 59th.

Juan Manuel Sanabria extended Uruguay’s advantage in the 70th minute, while Rodrigo Aguirre completed the scoring late in the game to seal a comprehensive 6-1 victory.

For India, Thapa’s goal and the spirited response after conceding early offered a brief glimpse of promise, but Uruguay’s quality and ruthlessness ultimately proved too much. The result brings India’s international friendly window to an end after a 1-1 draw against Panama, a 0-4 defeat to Brazil and the 1-6 loss to Uruguay.

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