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Against Afghanistan in a FIFA World Cup qualifier, Sunil Chhetri scores a vital goal on his 150th appearance for India

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FIFA World Cup qualifier

FIFA World Cup qualifier, When the Blue Tigers faced Afghanistan in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, veteran Indian football player Sunil Chhetri achieved new heights in his storied international career. At the Indira Gandhi International Stadium in Guwahati, the talisman striker for the Indian team made his 150th appearance for the Asian side. By scoring the opening goal for the hosts, Chhetri increased his goal total to 94 goals in international competition.

Along with extending his remarkable record, Chhetri’s goal allowed him to score for India in their first 25 games, 50 games, 75 games, 100 games, 125 games, and 150 games. In the international arena, Chhetri is currently the third-highest goal scorer. On the all-time list of goal scorers, the legendary Indian player is only trailed by Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal (128 goals) and Lionel Messi of Argentina (106 goals). Even though Chhetri scored in the 37th minute to commemorate the special occasion, India’s victory over Afghanistan was not buoyed by his first-half goal. In the just finished 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Guwahati, Afghan visitors overcame a late deficit to defeat India 2-1.

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The away-leg tie at Abha ended in a disappointing draw for Igor Stimac’s India. India’s goalless streak this year came to an end when Chhetri opened the score. India’s most recent goal came in a November 2023 match against Kuwait. India’s last World Cup qualifier was held in Guwahati five years ago, when they hosted Afghanistan. In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, India lost to Oman 1-2 at that point. An additional preliminary joint qualifier for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup was India’s matchup against Oman at home.

The goal machine Before he played his historic 150th game for the Blue Tigers, Chhetri received congratulations. At the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey, secretary of the Assam Football Association Sangrang Brahma, and chairperson of the AIFF technical committee I.M. Vijayan gave souvenirs to India’s captain. On June 12, 2005, Chhetri made his debut in India. The 39-year-old made his debut in the renowned jersey during a friendly game in Quetta against Pakistan.