Uruguay cruise past India to secure 6-1 win in Kolkata

A good test window for the Blue Tigers

With the curtain closed after a busy September-October FIFA International Window, as the Indian Men’s Football National side played three high-profile games against World Cup-playing nations, it exposed the fine margins that separate the Blue Tigers from the World’s elite, but the nights at Bengaluru and Kolkata also offered valuable lessons and experience to Khalid Jamil’s squad.

The Indian Men’s Senior Football Team got thrashed 6-1 by the first-ever FIFA World Cup-winning side, the Uruguay National Football Team, at the VYBK, Kolkata, as it marked the last international game in this window after they got a draw against Panama and a 4-0 defeat against Brazil.

A lot of positives from take on from this three-fixture run, and also several major learnings are outlined as well for the Blue Army.

Uruguay take the lead, Anirudh Thapa strikes back for India

Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium witnessed an electrifying first half in the game as the Blue Tigers played their best football against La Celeste, but on paper, the South American giants took the early lead to maintain their momentum with the goal by Al-Diriyah striker Darwin Nunez, who formerly played for Liverpool FC.

Also Read: WATCH: Anirudh Thapa’s screaming equaliser for India against Uruguay

India started very brightly, as the first 20 minutes of the game were defined by a phased football structure, with Khalid Jamil’s squad enjoying possession with their attacking football in the first 10 minutes, and Anwar Ali getting a buzzing shot from the 18-yard box in the 6th minute, which went wide. On the other hand, La Celeste was awarded a penalty after Pramveer fouled Pioquerez, and Darwin Nunez scored from the penalty spot to give Uruguay the early lead in the 11th minute of the game.

Then the history created when Anirudh Thapa bagged the equaliser in the 23rd minute with the whole VYBK got turned up with clapping hands and cheering, relying on Ryan Williams, who has been very effective for the Blue Tigers in the last two high-profile games, shot the free ball from distance as Cardozo didn’t handle it and Anirudh Thapa had the last smile with the goal.

As the weather erupted heavily, followed by a thunderstorm in Kolkata, the game was paused, and after a small break, Uruguay regained momentum with their second goal, scored by Maxi Araujo in the 28th minute, with Nandez providing the assist. The India-origin star, who has also scored in the FIFA World Cup 2026, wrote his name on the scoresheet.

A complete domination by La Celeste

The second half tells us a different story, not like a typical Uruguay format; perhaps they showed a good attacking transitional gameplay rather than parking the bus and holding on to their zones against India, which was meant to be followed in the international friendlies as the La Celeste stepped with a controlled display in the next 45 minutes of the play.

First, Rodrigo scored in the 53rd minute, followed by Maxi Araujo’s second strike, which led Uruguay to a three-goal lead against the Blue Tigers when the clock was ticking on the 59th minute, just six minutes from their third goal.

While Sanabria got a very well-placed ball from the right wing delivered by a young prodigy, Pellistri and he bagged the fifth for Uruguay in the 71st minute, and Aguirre scored the sixth to get a six-goal cushion.

From India’s perspective, it had to be a very important clash before they take on another FIFA World Cup 2026 participant, New Zealand, in November and prior to that occasion, many things should be considered to change massively as Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s goalkeeping remained in the headlines as he conceded five goals against the away side after conceding four goals in the last two fixtures.

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