FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Sunil Chhetri overtakes Lionel Messi with winning brace vs Bangladesh

Indian footballer, Sunil Chhetri, who scored a brace in India's 2-0 win over Bangladesh in Doha on Monday, has gone past the tally of Lionel Messi of Argentina as the second-highest active international goalscorer with 74 goals.

The 36-year-old striker is second only to Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (103) in the active international scoring record, having helped India win their first match in the FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Chhetri has also ascended to the 11th spot on the men's all-time international goalscorers list. With 75 goals, he stands just behind Hungary's Sandor Kocsis, Japan's Kunishige Kamamoto, and Kuwait's Bashar Abdullah. Meanwhile, last Thursday, Messi marked his 72nd international goal against Chile.

India's late show slams Bangladesh

Sunil Chhetri scored twice in a 2-0 triumph over Bangladesh in the joint preliminary round encounter at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Monday, giving India their first success in FIFA World Cup qualifiers in six years.

Remarkably, Chhetri's first goal was scored in the 79th minute, keeping his team on course to qualify for the third round of the Asian Cup in 2023. Second-half substitute Ashique Kuruniyan sent a left-wing cross for Chhetri to head in from behind Topu Barman after a hard run and from a tight angle at the Al Sadd Stadium.

After receiving the ball from Suresh Singh on the right flank, it was Chhetri who closed off his night with another magnificent strike in extra time (90+2).

India won for the first time in what was turning out to be one of their worst World Cup qualification campaigns in many years thanks to the two strikes. Further, it was the first time in 20 years that they have won a World Cup qualifier away from home.

After Chhetri's 73rd goal in international football, a confident India pressed in the opponent half, and the move paid off for beleaguered coach Igor Stimac, as the skipper netted his and the team's second right before the final whistle.

Despite being up, India attempted to add to their total, with Ashique and Chhetri forming good partnerships, even as the majority of Bangladesh's players moved up in pursuit of an equaliser.

The equaliser did not materialise in the end, but India finished on a high note, giving their campaign a much-needed boost after a string of losses.