Anirudh Thapa goal a brief bright spot as Uruguay run riot against India

TimesofIndia.com in Kolkata: India's third and final friendly test on home soil ended on a losing note as they went down 1-6 to Uruguay at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday. Anirudh Thapa's first half strike gave the home faithful something to celebrate in what was a heartening performance in the first half despite the scoreline. A Brace from Maxi Araujo coupled with goals from Rodrigo Zalazar, Darwin Nunez, Juan Manuel Sanabria and Rodrigo Aguirre put the game beyond India.India held Panama to a 1-1 draw in Bengaluru in the first friendly of the FIFA international window. They were then swept aside 0-4 by Brazil on Saturday in Kolkata. The six goals conceded on Tuesday, in front of 37,307 fans, dampened what had been a promising start to the three important friendlies.In a game that witnessed a lightning strike enforced 30-minute delay, Uruguay were far and above the better side in the second half to nullify India's solid first half showcase.The promising start quickly unravelled as Uruguay capitalised on defensive lapses and moments of transition to secure a comprehensive win, their second of the tour of Asia, having earlier beaten South Korea.India, meanwhile, had their moments, particularly in the opening stages, but Uruguay’s greater quality in the final third eventually told. The visitors repeatedly exposed gaps behind the Indian defence, with Maxi Araujo and Zalazar among those making the most of the opportunities presented to them.India had the first meaningful opening in the fifth minute when Akash Mishra met a corner inside the box and attempted a left-footed strike, but his effort sailed over.Edmund Lalrindika was then presented with an even better opportunity after India won possession high up the pitch. The ball fell to him with only the goalkeeper to beat, but he lacked composure and drifted wide before running out of room.Uruguay were awarded a penalty soon after, with Pramveer adjudged to have brought down Federico Viñas inside the box. The decision was greeted with loud boos from the home crowd, who felt the Uruguay forward had gone down too easily. Darwin Nuñez made no mistake from the spot, sending Gurpreet Singh Sandhu the wrong way to give Uruguay the lead.The visitors almost doubled their advantage in the 16th minute. Nunez was sent through and, rather than shoot, cut the ball back for M. Araujo, whose curling effort beat Gurpreet but came back off the post.India responded impressively and were level in the 22nd minute.Ryan Williams found himself with plenty of space and, encouraged by the crowd, unleashed a shot that goalkeeper Thiago Cardozo could only spill. Anirudh Thapa reacted quickest, staying onside before producing a composed left-footed finish to make it 1-1.India continued to threaten, with Williams again involved minutes later. He drove forward on the right and found Edmund in the centre, but after a couple of touches inside the box, the Indian forward was crowded out by the Uruguay defence.The momentum was then interrupted by a thunderstorm. Play was stopped at 8:04pm, with players and staff sent back to the dressing rooms. After a 30-minute delay, as per FIFA's protocols revolving lightning, the match resumed.Uruguay needed just two minutes after the restart to regain the lead.A cross from the right by Nandez caught India off guard. Ashique Kuruniyan attempted to step up, but the space he left allowed Nandez to exploit the opening, with Araujo finishing the move to put Uruguay 2-1 ahead.India were increasingly vulnerable on the counter. Nunez was played through by Zalazar in the 37th minute and found himself completely clear, but his attempted chip was thwarted by Gurpreet, who stood tall and managed to get his body behind the effort.After the half time break, Uruguay took complete control of the game.Zalazar extended the lead in the 53rd minute after Nunez nodded the ball down into his path on the edge of the box. Zalazar took a touch before unleashing a powerful strike into the bottom corner, giving Gurpreet no chance.Araujo added his second of the night six minutes later. Viñas slipped a through ball behind the Indian defence and Araujo raced beyond the backline, shrugging off Abhishek Singh before calmly finishing past Gurpreet for 4-1.India continued to look for a response. Gurpreet denied Zalazar at one end, while Apuia tried his luck from distance at the other, only to see his effort sail over.Sanan briefly lifted the home crowd in the 69th minute, weaving past one defender before creating space for a long-range attempt. His lofted effort was punched over by the goalkeeper, prompting a huge roar from the stands.But Uruguay immediately exposed India at the other end.Another transition caught the hosts out and Sanabria finished at the far post to make it 5-1.The visitors added a sixth late on. Facundo Pellistri burst down the right before finding Aguirre in space on the edge of the box. Aguirre took a touch, wrong-footed Bijoy and curled a superb finish into the top corner, leaving substitute goalie Albino Gomes with no chance.Uruguay's 6-1 victory ultimately reflected the gulf between the sides in terms of ruthlessness and the ability to punish mistakes. India showed enough attacking intent to suggest there were positives to take, but their defensive organisation was repeatedly exposed whenever Uruguay accelerated the game.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.