SAFF Championship: Sunil Chhetri equalizes Lionel Messis’ 80 international goals tally – Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri equalize legendary Argentinian footballer Lionel Messis’ 80 international goals tally in the SAFF Championship final against Nepal here at the Maldives National Stadium on Saturday. India defeated Nepal 3-0 in the final to claim their 8th title. Sunil Chhetri, Suresh Singh and Sahal Abdul Samad were among the goals on the night of the final.
50′ BACK-TO-BACK GOALS!
Yasir cuts it back for Suresh, who fires it home! We have a 2 goal lead!
🇮🇳 2-0 🇳🇵
✍️ https://t.co/Krscpgs4nu#INDNEP ⚔️ #SAFFChampionship2021 🏆 #BackTheBlue 💙 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/fjoHlXV38d
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 16, 2021
Lionel Messi on 80 international goals, while Suresh Singh doubled the lead in the 50th to pave the way for India’s title triumph, a much-needed after a series of mediocre outings. Sahal Abdul Samad made it 3-0 when he dribbled past a few defenders in the 90th minute.
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Sunil Chhetri scored his 1st goal for India in the National Rank Football Cup against fiercest rivals Pakistan on the 12th of June, 2005 16 years after he has become India’s all-time record goalscorer Sunil Chhetri has been one of the very few bright spots for the Blue Tigers in the SAFF Championships. His five goals in the tournament have helped India overcome their sluggish start to the competition and win the trophy.
FULL-TIME ⌛️
🏆🏆🏆🏆C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S. 🏆🏆🏆🏆
🇮🇳 3-0 🇳🇵
✍️ https://t.co/Krscpgs4nu#INDNEP ⚔️ #SAFFChampionship2021 🏆 #BackTheBlue 💙 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/bcZwgDxGHn
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 16, 2021
With goal in final Indian talisman moved to 80 international goals. Chhetri is now 5th on the overall list only behind Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) 115 goals, Ali Daei (Iran) 109 goals, Mokhtar Dahari (Malaysia) 89 goals, Ferenc Puskas (Hungary) 84 goals, Lionel Messi (Argentina) 80 goals and alongside Zambia’s Godfrey Chintalu.
