Ind vs Pak SAFF Championship 2026 Highlights: India began their SAFF Championship 2026 title defence with a thrilling 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the tournament opener in Dhaka on Thursday.

The defending champions looked in complete control during the first half, with young forward Suhail Ahmad Bhat leading the charge. The 21-year-old Mohun Bagan striker opened the scoring in the 13th minute before doubling India's advantage in the 19th minute with a composed finish following an excellent through-ball from Suryavanshi.

Punjab FC forward Manglenthang Kipgen extended India's lead in the 32nd minute, putting Naushad Moosa's side 3-0 ahead. Pakistan had an opportunity to reduce the deficit before half-time after winning a penalty, but Shayak Dost blazed his effort over the crossbar in the 35th minute.

Pakistan, however, showed greater urgency after the break and pushed forward in search of a comeback. India initially managed to keep their opponents at bay, with goalkeeper Arsh Anwer Sheikh and the defence dealing with the pressure.

The contest took a dramatic turn in stoppage time as Najeeb Ullah scored in the 90+1st minute, before Pakistan captain Alamgir Ghazi added another in the 90+4th minute. However, India held on to secure all three points despite the late scare.

Recommended For You

Ind vs Pak SAFF Championship 2026 Key Updates

- Suhail Ahmad Bhat: 13', 19'
- Manglenthang Kipgen: 32'
- Najeeb Ullah: 90+1'
- Alamgir Ghazi: 90+4'
- Shayak Dost missed a penalty in the 35th minute.

India vs Pakistan: SAFF Championship Live Updates

- Ind vs Pak SAFF Championship live updates: FULL-TIME IN DHAKA! India 3-2 Pakistan

India successfully weathers a breathless, late stoppage-time surge from arch-rivals Pakistan to secure all three points in a chaotic SAFF Championship 2026 opener. A flawless, high-intensity first half saw the Blue Tigers race into a commanding lead courtesy of a brilliant Suhail Bhat brace and a clinical strike from Kipgen. However, India's intensity fell sharply in the second half.

While they did enough to hold onto the victory, two spectacular injury-time goals from Najeeb Ullah and Ali Khan Ghazi completely shattered the Blue Tigers' hopes of walking away with a clean sheet. What a dramatic ending to the ultimate rivalry!

- India vs Pakistan Live Football Score: Another Late Goal For Pakistan; India 3-2 Pakistan 90+4'

Ali Khan Ghazi makes it two! Mckeal displays incredible resilience on the right wing, fighting tooth and nail to keep the ball in play before fizzing a hopeful cross into the box. Ghazi reads it, showcases elite composure to control the ball with a brilliant touch, and then acrobatically fires it into the back of the net! Suddenly, it's a one-goal game! 

- Ind vs Pak SAFF Championship live updates: Goal For Pakistan; India 3-1 Pakistan 90+1'

The clean sheet is broken! A momentary lapse in the Indian defense deep into stoppage time allows Pakistan to pull one back. Junaid Shah collects the ball on the left side of the area, cuts back, and delivers a gorgeous, curling left-footed cross. Najeeb Ullah reads it perfectly, rising highest above the Indian center-backs to power a bullet header past Arsh. India 3-1 Pakistan. 

- India vs Pakistan Live Football Score: FOUR MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME; India 3-0 Pakistan

The fourth official raises the board to signal four additional minutes at the end of the match. India is just 240 seconds away from a comfortable opening victory and a clean sheet. India 3-0 Pakistan.

- India vs Pakistan Live Football Score: Brilliant Save By Arsh Anwar; India 3-0 Pakistan 85'

A phenomenal piece of goalkeeping from the debutant! Mckeal dances down the right wing, dancing past two Indian defenders before sliding a precise ball to Nabi inside the box. Nabi strikes it beautifully on the stride, but Arsh rushes off his line like a lightning bolt, narrowing the angle perfectly to pull off a stunning block! The clean sheet remains intact! 

- India vs Pakistan Live Football Score: Substituitions For India; India 3-0 Pakistan 75'

Naushad Moosa looks to fresh up his defensive lines. Valpuia makes way as Lhungdim comes on to replace him, while Nathan Rodriguez also enters the pitch to see out the final minutes. 

- Ind vs Pak SAFF Championship 2026 LIVE: Pakistan Make Force Substitutions; India 3-0 Pakistan 63'

The medical team is on the pitch as Shayak Dost goes down in severe pain and receives treatment. To make matters worse, Pakistan is forced into an immediate substitution with Rehman also collapsing to the turf with an injury. Total chaos for the visitors.

- India vs Pakistan Live Football Score: Missed Chance By Suhail; India 3-0 Pakistan 50'

Suhail Bhat misses a golden opportunity for his hat-trick! The Mohun Bagan forward finds himself in a brilliant position inside the box to put the game completely out of sight, but he pulls his effort just wide of the target. It remains India 3-0 Pakistan.

- IND vs PAK Scorecard LIVE: Second Half Begins; India 3-0 Pakistan

The second half is officially underway in Dhaka. India takes the kick, switching sides to attack from left to right for the next 45 minutes as they look to build on their 3-0 cushion.

- India vs Pakistan Live Football Score: HALFTIME IN DHAKA; India 3-0 Pakistan 

What an explosive opening 45 minutes for the Blue Tigers! India holds a commanding three-goal lead thanks to a magnificent brace from Suhail Bhat and a clinical strike from Kipgen. Pakistan had a golden opportunity to pull one back right before the break, but Shayak Dost blazed his penalty over the bar. Despite Pakistan squandering their chances, India looks relentless and will hunt for even more goals in the second half!

-  SAFF Cup 2026 live football score: First Yellow Card! 40'

Pakistan's Ali Zeb enters the referee's book after locking in a late, heavy challenge on Noufal. The referee doesn't hesitate to flash the yellow card.

- India vs Pakistan Live Football Score: PENALTY MISSED; India 3-0 Pakistan 35'

SHAYAK DOST BLAZES IT OVER THE BAR! Unbelievable drama in Dhaka! Dost steps up to take the penalty but completely loses his composure, launching the ball high over the woodwork. A massive sigh of relief for the Blue Tigers as their clean sheet remains firmly intact! India 3-0 Pakistan. 

- SAFF Championship 2026: Penalty For Pakistan! 34'

Drama inside the Indian area. Bijoy miscues a clearance, allowing Khattak to pounce on the loose ball. Suryavanshi rushes in but checks him with a clumsy, late tackle. The referee has a clear view of the challenge and points straight to the spot! A lifeline for Pakistan.

- India vs Pakistan Live Football Score: Kipgen Makes It Three; India 3-0 Pakistan 32'

India is absolutely running away with the game now! Kipgen gets his name on the scoresheet with a ruthless finish, putting the Blue Tigers in total cruise control. Pakistan has no answers. India 3-0 Pakistan!

- Ind vs Pak SAFF Championship live updates: Wasted Opportunities For Pakistan; India 2-0 Pakistan 2

Pakistan earns back-to-back corners from opposite flanks to pile on the pressure. The second delivery from the left looks incredibly menacing, forcing debutant goalkeeper Arsh to bravely fly off his line and punch the ball clear of danger. Superb composure from the youngster!

- Ind vs Pak SAFF Championship 2026 LIVE: Suhail Bhat Yet Again; India 2-0 Pakistan 19'

Suhail Bhat gets his brace! Suryavanshi picks up the ball in midfield and carves open the Pakistan defense with a world-class through-ball. Bhat times his run to perfection, enters the box, opens up his body, and coolly slots it into the bottom right corner. India 2-0 Pakistan! 

- Ind vs Pak SAFF Championship live updates: Goalllllllll For India; India 1-0 Pakistan 13'

It’s Suhail Bhat who makes amends! A gorgeous team build-up from the Blue Tigers carves open the Pakistan defense, and Bhat applies the finishing touch. India 1-0 Pakistan!

- SAFF Cup 2026 live football score: Chances Begging At Both Ends!  10'

Pakistan completely squanders a promising free-kick opportunity, followed immediately by a counter-attack where India's Suhail Bhat lacks the clinical edge to punish them. Still goalless!

- Ind vs Pak SAFF Championship 2026 LIVE: India 0-0 Pakistan 5' 

A balanced opening five minutes in Dhaka! Pakistan pressed forward with the first attack of the night, but India are slowly finding their rhythm and growing into the game.

- India vs Pakistan Live Football Score: Kickoff!

Underway in Dhaka! Pakistan kicks things off, shooting from left to right on your screens.

- Ind vs Pak SAFF Championship live updates: Lineups Out For Both Sides

Both coaches have named a strong starting XI as players are all set for an exciting clash.

SRT

- SAFF Cup 2026 live football score: India Blend Youth and Experience for SAFF Championship Campaign

India enters the tournament with a mix of youth and experience, aimed at defending their title while grooming the next generation of football stars.

- Ind vs Pak SAFF Championship 2026 LIVE: Coaches And Players Promise Handshakes

Both the Indian and Pakistani camps confirmed that political tensions won't stop them from exchanging handshakes and hugs on the pitch.

- India vs Pakistan SAFF Live Updates: Match To Begin At 3 pm

The clash between the arch-rivals will begin at 3 pm. Keep refreshing this page to get all the latest updates from India vs Pakistan football match. 

Ind vs Pak SAFF Championship 2026 LIVE:

India vs Pakistan Live Football Score: 


Also In News