Uruguay 6-1 India: Cardozo debut error as Nunez and Araujo score
Uruguay defeated India 6-1 in an international friendly at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Darwin Nunez opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 11th minute and India levelled through Anirudh Thapa in the 22nd after Thiago Cardozo spilled a Ryan Williams shot.
The match was temporarily halted because of lightning before Uruguay took control after the restart. Nahitan Nandez delivered a right-wing cross that Maximiliano Araujo turned in to restore La Celeste's lead, and Rodrigo Zalazar extended the advantage after Nunez headed the ball back to him and his shot beat Gurpreet Singh Sandhu at the near post. Araujo added a second goal in the 59th minute, Juan Sanabria scored in the 71st minute following a deflected cross from Facundo Pellistri, and Rodrigo Aguirre finished the scoring in the 86th minute.
Thiago Cardozo made his international debut at age 30 on loan from Belgrano and had a difficult night; he spilled Ryan Williams' powerful strike that allowed Thapa to equalise. Cardozo had little to do in the first half but made a couple of routine saves, claimed some high balls and produced a diving stop to deny Mohammed Sanan.
Diego Forlan used Nahitan Nandez, normally a central midfielder, at right-back; the Al-Qadsiah veteran pushed forward regularly and supplied the cross that became Araujo's opener. The Villarreal centre-back Mourino was composed in central defence, registering the most touches of any Uruguay player and making several clearances, while Jose Gimenez provided a commanding captain’s display with last-ditch blocks and long passes into the attack.
Rodrigo Zalazar operated on the right and influenced Uruguay's attacking play, creating three big chances and testing Gurpreet repeatedly with shots. Federico Vinas combined effectively with Nunez in the two-man attack, winning the opening penalty and later setting up Araujo’s second. Rodrigo Bentancur featured at the heart of Uruguay’s midfield, joining most forward moves and contributing defensively, whereas Martinez, deployed in a deeper role, had limited impact on the visitors’ attacking play.
Forlan’s substitutions altered the game's flow: Lucas Rodriguez replaced Gimenez in the 62nd minute and had little to do thereafter, while Nicolas Varela came on for Nandez and provided a more reliable defensive presence. Facundo Pellistri entered after the hour and his deflected cross set up Sanabria, who scored eight minutes after coming off the bench by poking in from close range. Rodrigo Bernal replaced Bentancur to sit deeper and close passing channels, and Lucas Torreira, introduced at half-time, stabilised midfield and created a big chance despite a stray long-range attempt.
Aguirre came on for Nunez in the 63rd minute and completed the scoring with an 86th-minute curling strike into the far corner, the Tigres forward continuing Uruguay’s dominance late in the game. Uruguay’s scorers were Darwin Nunez, Maximiliano Araujo (2), Rodrigo Zalazar, Juan Sanabria and Rodrigo Aguirre, while Anirudh Thapa scored India’s sole goal in the 22nd minute.
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