Anirudh Thapa scored a short bright spot as Uruguay ran riot against India

Soccer Soccer – International Friendly – India vs Uruguay – Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, India – October 6, 2026 Uruguay’s Rodrigo Aguirre celebrates scoring the sixth goal with his teammates REUTERS/Sahiba Chawdhary TimesofIndia.com in Kolkata: India’s third and final friendly Test at home ended in defeat as they lost 1-6 to Uruguay at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday. Anirudh Thapa’s first-half strike gave the home faithful something to celebrate, an encouraging first-half performance despite the scoreline. A brace from Maxi Araujo along with goals from Rodrigo Zalazar, Darwin Nunez, Juan Manuel Sanabrio and Rodrigo Aguirre put the game beyond India’s reach.India held Panama to a 1-1 draw in Bengaluru in the first friendly of the FIFA international window. Brazil swept them 0-4 in Kolkata on Saturday. Six goals conceded in front of 37,307 fans on Tuesday dampened a promising start to three important friendlies.In a game that witnessed a lightning strike that forced a 30-minute delay, Uruguay were much better in the second half to nullify India’s solid first-half display.A promising start quickly fell apart as Uruguay capitalized on defensive lapses and moments of transition to secure a comprehensive win, having previously beaten South Korea on their second tour of Asia.Meanwhile, India had their moments, especially in the opening stages, but Uruguay’s greater quality in the final third eventually told. The visitors repeatedly exposed gaps behind the Indian defence, with Maxi Araujo and Zalazar among those who made the most of the opportunities that came their way.India had their first meaningful opening in the fifth minute when Akash Mishra took a corner kick inside the box and attempted a left-foot strike, but his attempt went wide.Edmund Lalrindika then got an even better opportunity after India gained possession high up the pitch. The ball fell to him with only the keeper to beat but he lacked composure and drifted before running out of the spot.Uruguay were awarded a penalty soon after, with Pramveer adjudged to have brought down Federico Viñas in the box. The decision was greeted with loud boos from the home crowd who felt the Uruguayan forward had gone down too easily. Darwin Nuñez made no mistake from the spot to send Gurpreet Singh Sandhu the wrong way to give Uruguay the lead.

India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu fails to save a penalty from Uruguay’s Darwin Nunez during the international friendly soccer match between India and Uruguay in Kolkata, India, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

The visitors almost doubled their lead in the 16th minute. Nunez was sent off and instead of shooting he cut the ball back for M. Araujo whose curling effort beat Gurpreet but it came back off the post.India responded impressively to equalize in the 22nd minute.Ryan Williams found himself in plenty of space and, encouraged by the crowd, unleashed a shot that goalkeeper Thiago Cardozo could only tip over. Quickest to react was Anirudh Thapa, who stayed put before producing a composed finish with his left foot to make it 1-1.India continued to threaten, with Williams involved again a few minutes later. He drove down the right and found Edmund through the middle, but after a few touches inside the box, the Indian forward was crowded out by the Uruguayan defence.The momentum was then interrupted by a storm. Play was stopped at 8:04 p.m. and players and staff were sent back to the dressing rooms. After a 30-minute delay, per FIFA’s rotating lightning protocols, the match resumed.

Lightning stops play during the India vs Uruguay match at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

Uruguay needed just two minutes after the restart to regain the lead.A cross from the right from Nandez caught India by surprise. Ashique Kuruniyan tried to raise but the space he left allowed Nandez to capitalize on the opening as Araujo finished the move to put Uruguay 2-1 up.

Kolkata: Uruguay’s Maximiliano Araujo, 20, celebrates after scoring a goal during an international friendly football match between India and Uruguay in Kolkata. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist Lav) (PTI10_06_2026_000648A)

India were increasingly vulnerable at the counter. Nunez lost in the 37th minute to Zalazar and found himself completely clear, but his attempted chip was thwarted by Gurpreet, who stood tall and managed to get his body under the strain.After the halftime break, Uruguay completely dominated the game.Zalazar extended the lead in the 53rd minute after Nunez tipped the ball into his path on the edge of the box. Zalazar took a touch before unleashing a powerful strike into the bottom corner, giving Gurpreet no chance.

Soccer Football – International Friendly – India vs Uruguay – Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, India – October 6, 2026 Uruguay’s Rodrigo Zalazar celebrates scoring the third goal REUTERS/Sahiba Chawdhara

Araujo added his second of the night six minutes later. Viñas slipped behind the Indian defense and Araujo raced behind the backline, shrugged off Abhishek Singh and calmly finished past Gurpreet to make it 4-1.

Soccer Football – International Friendly – India vs Uruguay – Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, India – October 6, 2026 Uruguay’s Maximiliano Araujo celebrates scoring the fourth goal REUTERS/Sahiba Chawdhara

India continued to search for an answer. Gurpreet denied Zalazar at one end while Apuia tried his luck from distance at the other, only to see his effort sail wide.Sanan briefly lifted the home crowd in the 69th minute, weaving past one defender before creating space for a long-range effort. His lofty effort was blocked by the goalkeeper and caused a huge roar from the stands.But Uruguay immediately exposed India at the other end.Another transition caught the visitors and Sanabria finished at the far post to make it 5:1.

Kolkata: Uruguay’s Juan Manuel, 25, scores a goal as India’s Gurpreet Singh Sandhu during an international friendly football match between India and Uruguay in Kolkata. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist Lav) (PTI10_06_2026_000687B)

The visitors added a sixth goal. Facundo Pellistri burst down the right before finding Aguirre in space on the edge of the box. Aguirre took a touch, Bijoy wrong-footed and curled a superb finish into the top corner, leaving substitute goalkeeper Albino Gomes with no chance.

Uruguay’s 6-1 victory ultimately reflected the gulf between the sides in terms of ruthlessness and ability to punish mistakes. India showed enough attacking intent to suggest there were positives, but their defensive organization was repeatedly exposed whenever Uruguay stepped up the game.