India beat Pakistan 3-2 in SAFF Championship opener, Suhail Bhat scores twice

India beat Pakistan 3-2 in the first match of the SAFF Championship 2026, making a winning start to the tournament.

In the high-voltage match at the Dhaka National Stadium in Bangladesh, the Indian players dominated from the start and scored three goals in the first half itself. Pakistan tried to stage a comeback in the final moments and scored twice, but could not stop India from winning. Suhail Bhat was the hero of the win, scoring two goals.

The Indian players took an aggressive approach against Pakistan from the outset. In the 13th minute, Suhail Bhat scored from a fine pass by Mohammad Sohel to give India a 1-0 lead.

Seven minutes later, in the 19th minute, Bhat scored again to make it 2-0. India kept up the attack after that. In the 23rd minute, Manglenthang Kipgen scored the third goal, adding to Pakistan's troubles.

The Pakistan goalkeeper tried to stop the ball but could not. India led 3-0 at the end of the first half. Pakistan, for their part, could not break through the Indian defence in the first half.

India stayed on top in the second half as well and did not give Pakistan a single chance to score. It seemed India would win the match comfortably 3-0, but Pakistan suddenly changed the picture in injury time. In the 91st minute, Najeeb Ullah scored Pakistan's first goal to make it 3-1.

The Pakistan players then turned aggressive, and in the 94th minute Ali Khan Ghazi scored a second goal with remarkable speed, making it 3-2. Pakistan could not find the equaliser after that. India held on to their lead and won the match 3-2.