Afghanistan vs India 0-0: 2026 World Cup qualifying match – as it happened
All our updates as Afghanistan draw 0-0 with India in their 2026 World Cup qualifying match.
This page is now closed. Thanks for joining us. These were the updates as Afghanistan and India drew 0-0 in their World Cup qualifier on Thursday, March 21:
This page is now closed. Thanks for joining us. These were the updates as Afghanistan and India drew 0-0 in their World Cup qualifier on Thursday, March 21:
- Afghanistan and India share a goalless draw in their 2026 World Cup qualifying Group A fixture.
- The match played in Saudi Arabia was end-to-end for the most part but neither side was able to significantly test the keeper.
- Afghanistan lost both of their opening fixtures – to Qatar, the reigning AFC Asian Cup champions, and Kuwait.
- India won one and lost one in the two group-stage matches, but moved above Kuwait into second spot following the latter’s 3-0 defeat in Qatar.
- The teams face each other again in the group’s return fixture on Tuesday in India, where the hosts will be determined to claim three points against the country bottom of the group.
Goodbye for now!
That’s it from our live coverage of Afghanistan against India in Group A of the World Cup qualifying in Asia.
A first point in the group for Afghanistan but two points dropped for India.
We’ll be back on Friday with more live Indian sport this time from the IPL as we begin our coverage of the tournament.
We hope you enjoyed the live action from this match. Please do join us on Friday if you can and don’t forget you can stay up-to-date with all our latest sport features, news and live coverage here.
For now though, from me Kevin Hand, it’s goodbye.
FT | 🇦🇫 Afghanistan 0️⃣- 0️⃣ India 🇮🇳
It ends in a goalless draw as India hold on to second place in Group A!#AsianQualifiers pic.twitter.com/0vBYRtW1vL
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) March 21, 2024
Qatar win again
FT | 🇶🇦 Qatar 3️⃣-0️⃣ Kuwait 🇰🇼
A brace from Akram Afif and a goal from Ahmed Al Rawi hand the #AsianCup2023 champions a third successive win in Group 🅰️!#AsianQualifiers pic.twitter.com/fABrykmdsI
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) March 21, 2024
India left to rue missed chances but Afghanistan so close to an upset
The number of headers that India got on the end of, only to miss the target, was extraordinary.
A specialist heading coach may be needed.
The slide by Popalzay midway through the second half was so close to opening the scoring for Afghanistan.
That could have been a huge moment for them, but India will feel this was two points dropped.
Full-time: Afghanistan 0-0 India
That’s it. The match peters out to a draw after a lively encounter for the most part.
Full-time: Afghanistan 0-0 India
It ends all square at the Damac Stadium.#AFGIND ⚔️ #FIFAWorldCup #AsianQualifiers 🏆 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/QQCrY3igZD
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 21, 2024
One last ambitious attempt for Afghanistan
Musawi drives at the India goal from all of 25 yards (23 metres) but the ball sails high and wide. That could be that.
90+5 minutes: Afghanistan 0-0 India
A brief appeal for an Indian penalty
Naorem Mahesh Singh goes down in the box as he sidesteps a challenge. The tumble was too theatrical. Once again the box was too tightly packed for an opening to be found.
90+2 minutes: Afghanistan 0-0 India
Five minutes of stoppage time
There could be time for a winner yet.
90+1 minutes: Afghanistan 0-0 India
The game tightens up
The match is not as free flowing in the closing stages as it had been for the majority of the match. Neither side is able to break clear as they had been since the opening of the match.
86 minutes: Afghanistan 0-0 India
Popalzay comes off
The Afghanistan forward came the closest to goal in the match so far when he slide to reach a cross that only just eluded him with the goal gaping.
Musawi takes his place.
82 minutes: Afghanistan 0-0 India
Another India header sails wide
The number of headers off target by India in this match is incredible.
Bheke is the latest guilty party as he soars above everyone from a corner but misses the target.
78 minutes: Afghanistan 0-0 India
Afghanistan make their first change
Asekzai replaced Sharza in attack for the home side.
77 minutes: Afghanistan 0-0 India
Yellow card for Afghanistan
India threaten to break and Nazary slides in cynically on the halfway line to break up play. The referee didn’t hesitate with the booking.
74 minutes: Afghanistan 0-0 India
More India changes
Manvir Singh is one of three further changes. The manager clearly is not impressed. Liston Colaco replaces the forward, while Lallianzuala Chhangte replaces Naorem Mahesh Singh and Deepak Tangri comes on for Jeakson Singh.
72 minutes: Afghanistan 0-0 India
The players break for a drink
The pace of the match has been relentless and both sets of players come to the touchline for a drink.
68 minutes: Afghanistan 0-0 India
The best chance of the match
Mosawer breaks through the inside right and squares the ball, which only just eludes the slide of Popalzay. Any touch at all and that would have been the opener.
64 minutes: Afghanistan 0-0 India
India make the first changes
Vikram Partap Singh comes off for Fernandes. Mishra also comes off to be replaced by Bose in the heart of defence.
60 minutes: Afghanistan 0-0 India
Another glancing header wide from India
A sharp cross is swung in from the left and Vikram Partap Singh attacks the ball, but his header is glanced wide. It’s the story of every header in attack for India in the game so far.
58 minutes: Afghanistan 0-0 India
India lucky to get away with a yellow
Vikram Partap Singh slides in with feet high as he challenges for the ball on the halfway line.
The forward was attempting to counter from an Afghanistan corner, but a heavy touch allowed the ball to run clear of his control.
India had a five-versus-three overload, and it was a big opportunity missed.
55 minutes: Afghanistan 0-0 India
India win a corner
Vikram Partap Singh is the willing runner again and the forward surges into the box from the left.
Two Afghanistan defenders reach him in time before he unleashes his shot at the near post. The resulting corner is comfortably headed clear.
52 minutes: Afghanistan 0-0 India
India nearly find the opening
A lofted ball over the Afghanistan back line is just too far ahead of the run of Vikram Partap Singh. The forward was so close to latching onto the pass though.
49 minutes: Afghanistan 0-0 India
No changes at the break
Both teams remain with the same players who started the match.
47 minutes: Afghanistan 0-0 India
Kick-off in the second half: Afghanistan 0-0 India
They’re under way in the second half in Saudi Arabia.
46 minutes: Afghanistan 0-0 India
Qatar against Kuwait remains goalless
The other game in Group A also remains goalless at half-time.
HT | 🇶🇦 Qatar 0️⃣-0️⃣ Kuwait 🇰🇼
Nothing to separate the two sides at the break 🤝
🔓 Who will break the deadlock?#AsianQualifiers pic.twitter.com/42jg3wWf9a
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) March 21, 2024
Afghanistan threaten to upset the odds against India
The home side have made plenty of the running in the first half and enjoy a 57-43 share of possession.
Neither keeper has been particularly tested despite a huge number of half chances for both teams.
The openness of the game is perhaps the most surprisingly element, allowing wave after wave of attack at alternating ends.
India have only mustered one shot on target, a drive from long range, while Afghanistan have managed two with Mosawer’s effort curled towards the top corner the pick of the game so far.
The number of headers wide from India will frustrate the away team, as they haven’t at least tested the keeper.
It’s hard to see this one remaining goalless. But could Afghanistan provide a shock?
Half-time: Afghanistan 0-0 India
Despite the ball flying from end-to-end, no further chances open up in the first half.
Half-time: Afghanistan 0-0 India
Deadlocked at the break in Abha! 🔒⚽
Work to do in the second half 💪#AFGIND ⚔️ #FIFAWorldCup #AsianQualifiers 🏆 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/o8IgGgdLns
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 21, 2024