Thapa Gives India Hope Before Uruguay Turn On The Style In 6-1 Kolkata Win

Anirudh Thapa briefly raised hopes at a packed Salt Lake Stadium, but India could not withstand Uruguay’s attacking surge as the two-time former world champions cruised to a 6-1 victory in an international friendly on Tuesday.

India had shown encouraging intent early on after Darwin Nunez converted an 11th-minute penalty, awarded after Pramveer brought down Federico Vinas inside the box. Thapa restored parity in the 22nd minute, reacting sharply after goalkeeper Thiago Cardozo parried Ryan Williams’ effort.

The equaliser sparked one of India’s brightest spells. Edmund Lalrindika came close to putting the hosts ahead after being released by Williams, only for Santiago Mourino to make a timely sliding challenge. Substitute Mohammed Sanan also tested Cardozo with a powerful effort later in the game.

But Uruguay gradually took control, particularly after a 34-minute stoppage caused by lightning. Maximiliano Araujo restored the visitors’ lead in the 28th minute, finishing from close range after Nahitan Nandez delivered a low ball across the box.

Rodrigo Zalazar made it 3-1 in the 53rd minute with a powerful strike after being set up by Nunez. Araujo then completed his brace in the 59th minute before substitutes Juan Sanabria and Rodrigo Aguirre added further goals to complete the rout.

India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made several important saves, including a brave block with his face to deny Nunez in a one-on-one situation, but Uruguay’s sustained pressure eventually proved too much.

The defeat ended a difficult international window for Khalid Jamil’s side, who drew 1-1 with Panama before losing 0-4 to Brazil and 1-6 to Uruguay in consecutive matches.

For Uruguay, the result continued the promising start of coach Diego Forlan, who took charge after Marcelo Bielsa’s departure following Uruguay’s group-stage exit from the 2026 World Cup.