India beat defending champions Bangladesh to win SAFF Women’s Championship 2026
India clinch sixth SAFF Women’s Championship title
The Indian women’s national football team secured a convincing 3-1 victory against Bangladesh at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Saturday in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 final.
Pyari Xaxa, Sanfida Nongrum, and Lynda Kom found the net for the hosts, while Ritu Porna Chakma scored the lone goal for the defending champions as India clinched their first SAFF Women’s Championship title since 2019.
An evenly contested first half
The Blue Tigresses created numerous chances from the onset through the flanks, with Manisha Kalyan leading the charge. Manisha, Aveka Singh, and Pyari Xaxa came close to scoring but couldn’t find the final touch.
Bangladesh also had their opportunities to break the deadlock, particularly with Ritu Porna Chakma and Tohura Khatun.
Ritu Porna was sensational through the left flank with her clever take-ons and smart movements with the ball. The dynamic midfielder played a brilliant layoff in the 12th minute, but her teammates failed to meet the ball inside the penalty box.
Two minutes later, Khatun found herself in space inside the Indian box, but Juli Kishan, the Blue Tigresses’ defender, perfectly denied her attempt.
In the 16th minute, Astam Oraon got another clear-cut chance as the Bangladesh goalkeeper’s half-hearted clearance fell in front of the Indian player, but she couldn’t convert it into the opener.
The defending champions came close to scoring in the 23rd minute when Ritu Porna tried her luck from the corner kick, but her curling left-footed attempt was off target.
India dominated the proceedings in the final stretch of the opening half. A long ball played from the defensive third found Manisha in front of the Bangladesh box, but her powerful strike was parried away by the opposition keeper.
Crispin Chettri’s women ultimately broke the deadlock with Xaxa’s composed finish in the 42nd minute. The jersey no. 10 found herself in space as she beat her marker to find the back of the net despite having a deflection.
The defending champions produced an instant reply, with Anika Rania Siddiqui’s powerful right-footed attempt being magnificently saved by a flying Panthoi Chanu in the near post.
However, it was Ritu Porna who brought the visitors back in the game with her left-footed grounded finish to finish the opening half with a 1-1 scoreline.
Goals from Sanfida Nongrum and Lynda Kom sealed the title
India took the lead within 40 seconds in the second half. Xaxa, the scorer, found Sanfida Nongrum inside the penalty box, who timed the ball well to score her second of the campaign.
Nongrum created a few chances in the coming minutes, showcasing her playmaking skills. The 21-year-old played a brilliant ball that found Manisha inside the box, and the latter’s first-time volley missed the target by inches.
Chettri substituted Manisha to bring in Lynda Kom in the 71st minute.
The super-sub found herself on the scoresheet with a clinical strike that found the bottom corner, increasing their lead to 3-1.
In the dying minutes of the game, India got a couple of chances to make their win big but fell short to Mile Akter and the Bangladesh defence line, who stood tall and held their nerves to keep the scoreline unchanged.
With this memorable win against the Bengal Tigresses, India have clinched their sixth SAFF Women’s Championship title.
How many SAFF Women’s Championship have India won?
India have won six SAFF Women’s Championship titles.
Which players were on the scoresheet for India in the SAFF Women’s Championship final?
Pyari Xaxa, Sanfida Nongrum, and Lynda Kom were on the scoresheet for India in the final.
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Shibashis is a sports journalist with over three years of experience covering Indian football. His work spans reporting, writing, and editing, with a strong focus on telling stories from across the Indian football landscape. Passionate about both Indian and European football, he continues to build his career by combining sharp reporting with a deep love for the game.