India 0-3 Qatar: AFC FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier ends in defeat for Blues

Qatar defeated India 3-0 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar to maintain their 100% record in the AFC FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. The 2022 World Cup hosts got off the mark early, with a goal from Mostafa Tarek shocking the hosts minutes into the game. 

Igor Stimac opted to replace Udanta Singh at half-time, bringing on East Bengal winger Mahesh Singh to add a new dimension to their attack. But, he rarely had any chances until one right at the very end of the game. 

Qatar defeat India to continue winning run in World Cup Qualifiers 

Almoez Ali continued his remarkable form for the national team with a fifth goal in two games in the second half, just two minutes after the break. And late in the game, Yusuf Abdurisag found the back of the net with a brilliant header, beating Amrinder Singh at his near post to make it 3-0 and take all three points in the process. 

As expected, India didn’t retreat and play a low block but instead pressed high and aggressively to force the opposition into an error. They found themselves on the receiving end of a few chances on the turnover, but some resolute defending from the visitors prevented them from really threatening in the final third. 

Following the display against a World Cup playing nation, India will back themselves to qualify to the third round with two games against Afghanistan to be played in the March international break.