Afghanistan beat India U15 2-1 in FIFA U15 World Cup placement quarter-final

India U15 lost 1-2 to Afghanistan in the quarter-finals for positions 81 to 88 at the FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival Azerbaijan 2026 at the Hovsan Competition Complex Pitch 1A in Baku on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Mohammad Mustafa (15′) and Shahzada Sultani (27′) put Afghanistan 2-0 up before Nibas Meetei Wahengbam (36′) pulled one back for India.

India started the match on the front foot, creating clear openings in the sixth minute when R Lalremruatfela’s low cross was spilled by the Afghanistan goalkeeper and Victor Lalawmpuia could not react in time; Nibas regained possession and a left-footed attempt from Lalremruatfela was beaten away. The Blue Colts threatened again in the ninth minute when Nibas’ through ball found Lalawmpuia but the Afghanistan goalkeeper came off his line to gather.

Afghanistan struck first against the run of play when Sultani crossed from the left and Mohammad Mustafa escaped his marker, Birjit Singh Amom, to connect with a right-footed volley and open the scoring in the 15th minute. The goal put Afghanistan in front despite India’s early dominance.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 27th minute after pressing forced an error: under pressure from Khair Mohammad Nazari, Nara Meitei Loushambam played a misplaced pass that was intercepted by Sultani, who dribbled past defenders and fired a powerful near-post strike into the roof of the net.

India sought a route back through counterattacks and set pieces that produced little reward until the 36th minute, when Lalremruatfela controlled a long ball inside the penalty area and laid it off for Nibas to slot home. India pressed for an equaliser in the remainder of the match but were unable to breach Afghanistan again and the visitors held on for the win.

India U15 men’s starting 8 vs Afghanistan: Dhannya Desai (GK), Nara Meitei Loushambam, Muhammad Sohil Khan, Soumojit Sarkar (C), R Lalremruatfela, Nibas Meetei Wahengbam, C Lalhmingropuia, Victor Lalawmpuia. Substitutes: Jenit Ningthoujam (GK), Pratham Kumar, Birjit Singh Amom, Macdonnish Ngairangbam, Ronandev Aheibam, Deepak Singh Arambam.

The Blue Colts will face Kazakhstan, who lost to Hungary, in the semi-finals for positions 85 to 88 later at 19:45 IST today; the match will be streamed live on dazn.com.