India vs Bhutan ended 2-1 to the defending champions in the SAFF Championship 2026 semi-final at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday. Goals from Vishnu PV and captain Chinglensana Singh Konsham sent India into the final.
India took a while to find their rhythm. Bhutan, playing their first SAFF semi-final in 18 years, pressed well in midfield in the opening minutes and made it hard for India to pass through them. But the Blue Tigers soon found a way through.
In the ninth minute, Vishnu PV collected a long pass, controlled it neatly, moved the ball onto his right foot and fired past the Bhutan goalkeeper. India doubled their lead in the 27th minute when Bhutan failed to clear a corner from Manglenthang Kipgen and Chinglensana scored from close range.
At 2-0 at the break, India looked comfortable. Bhutan came out strongly after half-time, though. Two minutes into the second half, Kinzang Tashi Tobden scored to make it 2-1. The goal was first ruled offside, but the Video Assistant Referee, used at the SAFF Championship for the first time, overturned the decision.
VAR played another big role later in the game. It cancelled a penalty that had been awarded to India, which would have given the defending champions a chance to restore their two-goal cushion. Bhutan nearly equalised in the 53rd minute and kept pushing until the final whistle, but India held on for the win.
Defender Nikhil Prabhu was one of India’s best performers alongside captain Chinglensana, helping keep Bhutan out during a nervy second half.
The result keeps India’s record against Bhutan perfect: seven matches, seven wins. It also continues a pattern for Naushad Moosa’s side in this tournament. India have won all three games in Dhaka, but they have looked less secure after half-time in each one, conceding late against Pakistan and needing important saves against Maldives.
Moosa will want a more complete performance in the final. He is working with a young squad while Khalid Jamil’s senior team tours New Zealand, and his players have now earned a chance to win silverware for their country.
The India vs Bhutan win sets up a final against either hosts Bangladesh or Pakistan, who meet in the second semi-final. The final is on Tuesday, November 17, at 7:30 PM IST, as India chase a record-extending 10th SAFF title.
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