Late Drama in Guwahati: Afghanistan Stuns India, Delivering a Crushing Blow to World Cup Hopes

The Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati bore witness to a night of raw emotion and ultimately, heartbreak, as India's hopes for advancing in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers suffered a significant setback. Afghanistan, fueled by resilience and a never-say-die attitude, pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory over the Blue Tigers, leaving fans and players alike grappling with the implications.

From the outset, the match on March 26, 2024, proved to be a disjointed affair for Igor Stimac's side.

Despite playing on home turf with over 10,000 fervent supporters, India struggled to find rhythm and cohesion, their passes often going astray and attacking moves lacking the decisive edge. Afghanistan, meanwhile, displayed tactical discipline and a willingness to seize any opportunity.

The first half delivered a double blow of drama and disappointment for India.

In the 29th minute, a moment of misfortune saw India's Rahul Bheke score an own goal, deflecting a powerful shot from Afghanistan's Omid Popalzay past his own goalkeeper. The stadium fell silent, a collective gasp echoing through the stands. However, the Blue Tigers quickly found a lifeline. Just eight minutes later, captain fantastic Sunil Chhetri stepped up to convert a penalty with his characteristic composure, bringing India level and reigniting hopes among the home crowd.

As the second half unfolded, India continued to search for a decisive breakthrough.

Despite making substitutions and trying to inject more attacking prowess, the final touch remained elusive. The team's creative engine seemed to sputter, with clear-cut chances proving hard to come by. Afghanistan, though under pressure at times, defended resolutely, absorbing India's attacks and looking dangerous on the counter.

The ultimate blow arrived in the 88th minute.

Rahamat Akbari, seizing an opportunity, found the back of the net for Afghanistan, silencing the Indian faithful and sending the Afghan bench into raptures. It was a goal that encapsulated the evening's narrative: Afghanistan's determination against India's struggle to convert possession into tangible advantage.

The late strike was a dagger to the heart of India's World Cup aspirations.

The final whistle confirmed Afghanistan's hard-fought 2-1 triumph, a result that severely dents India's chances of progressing to the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The performance raised significant questions about the team's consistency, creativity, and ability to perform under pressure.

For Afghanistan, it was a moment of immense pride and a testament to their fighting spirit, securing a memorable win that will undoubtedly boost their confidence in the remainder of the qualifiers. India, on the other hand, is left to pick up the pieces and reflect on a missed opportunity that has made their qualification journey significantly more challenging.