Ryan Williams' first-half strike earns India 1-1 draw with Panama in Bengaluru
India held Panama to a 1-1 draw at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on the 25th of September 2026 in a FIFA International Friendlies fixture, with Ryan Williams scoring a late first-half goal and Omar Javier Valencia levelling in the second half.
India dominated the opening half against the 44th-ranked Panama National Football Team, pressing with sustained attacking intent through Manvir and Ryan Williams; Akash Mishra supplied the assist for Williams' 41st-minute goal. Panama, a FIFA World Cup nation, responded after the interval with multiple substitutions and increased urgency.
Panama forced back-to-back corners inside the opening five minutes and attacked largely down their left flank early on, but Abhishek Singh and Bijoy Varghese contained those advances and Anwar Ali joined Bijoy in making vital clearances. India threatened in the eighth minute when Manvir delivered a low cross that Ryan Williams failed to connect with, and Williams then fired a long-range effort wide in the 18th minute.
The breakthrough arrived in the 41st minute when Akash Mishra lofted a long ball into the attacking half, Ryan Williams won the race to it and converted from a one-on-one with the goalkeeper to give India the lead; India went into the interval ahead.
Panama made three changes at the start of the second half and threatened early, Giovany Aymar testing Gurpreet in the 51st minute before India countered; Panama finally equalised in the 66th minute when substitute Omar Javier Valencia struck from distance, beating Gurpreet to make it 1-1.
After the 80th minute India pressed for a second goal, with Ashique Kuruniyan delivering a teasing ball that Edmund failed to convert and Manvir attempting an unsuccessful flick from close range. Both sides continued to create opportunities, Panama pushed in the closing stages, and India defended resolutely to prevent any further goals.
India will next face Brazil on the 3rd of October at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, and Uruguay on the 6th of October at the same venue.