Sunil Chhetri Scores 95th Career Goal on Emotional Return to Indian Team vs Maldives

Sunil Chhetri Scores 95th Career Goal: Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri made an emotional return to the national side on Wednesday as he scored a stunning goal in India's 3-0 win against the Maldives in an international friendly at Shillong's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Chhetri retired in June 2024 after the World Cup qualifier against Kuwait in front of almost 59,000 fans in Kolkata, but later reversed this decision on March 8, announcing his return to international football with India targeting the Asian Cup in 2027.

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In the 76th minute of the game, Chhetri scored thanks to a lovely cross from Liston Colaco into the near post. In another glimpse of class, the 40-year-old ran past his markers to glance the header past the goalkeeper. It was his 95th career goal, cementing him as the fourth-highest men's international goalscorer of all time.

The legend did not celebrate. Chhetri looked up to the skies before closing his eyes, only to be congratulated by his teammates. The Indian captain, who played his first match in nine months, was seen shedding tears after scoring an emotional goal which came after he was subbed out short after.

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India's first win under Manolo Marquez

Marquez played the right hand with what was dubbed a warm-up for the important AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh, to be played on this same venue in just under a week, as the team pocketed a comfortable 3-0 win. This was India's first win in 16 months and the first under Marquez, who took charge in July last year. India's last win was against Kuwait (1-0) in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying round match in Kuwait City on November 16, 2023. Before that Wednesday, India lost one and drew three matches with Marquez in charge.

The ice-breaking goal was scored by Rahul Bheke in the 34th minute when he cushion headed an audacious Brandon cross. Colcao made it 2–0 in the 66th minute off a Mahesh corner and celebrated with a 'Siuu'.

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