Kolkata May 31: India marched into the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 semi-final after beating the defending champions Bangladesh 3–0 on Sunday evening at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. With this, Pyari Xaxa added her 20th international goal to her tally after opening the scoring for the Blue Tigresses.

In the 35th minute, with a curling shot, Pyari Xaxa gave Blue Tigresses the lead. Despite playing attacking football, Bangladesh failed to touch the net, as with compact defending India maintained their attack.

In the 51st minute, India created a goal-bound move, which the Bangladesh keeper intercepted but didn’t clear properly. Pyari reached to convert it into a goal, but India ended up wasting the chance. Within three minutes, Maria started an attack for Bangladesh, but her run ended up offside. In the 57th minute, Ritu sent a pinpoint cross beating the blue jerseys, but there was no Bangladesh player to meet it.

In the 60th minute, Bangladesh launched another attack. Nahar attempted a long shot, though Panthoi was much alert to keep the ball in her grip as it was easy for her.

In the 72nd minute, substitute Lynda, receiving a through ball, attempted a shot towards the net. This time the Bangladesh keeper Mile was alert to save it.

Within six minutes, Surma Jannat made a challenge on Malavika P and awarded a penalty to India. Lynda stepped in, and this time she made it on target to change the score to 2–0 for India.

In additional time at the 90+1st minute, showing incredible control, Malavika P sealed the score 3–0 for the Blue Tigresses. Sangita Basfore sent a cross into the box from the right, which Malavika received on her right thigh and then sent into the net to end the show with brilliance.

In the group stage, Crispin Chhetri’s girls showed complete dominance with a balanced team game. With two clean sheets and 14 goals from two matches, India will now face Bhutan on June 3 in the semi-final.

With confidence, momentum, and dominance on their side, the Blue Tigresses now move one step closer to the championship dream, carrying strong hopes of lifting the title which they missed narrowly in the last time.