India vs Kuwait FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier Highlights: Sunil Chhetri retired from international football as India and Kuwait played to a 0-0 draw in their World Cup 2026 qualifier in Kolkata. Chhetri concludes his illustrious career as the fourth-highest goal-scorer in international football. Despite both teams having promising opportunities, neither was able to score. India remains in second place in their group and will now need to secure a victory against Qatar in their next match to advance to the next round.
An overcast sky loomed over Salt Lake Stadium, mirroring the somber atmosphere within the Indian camp as their legendary striker, Sunil Chhetri, laced up his boots for his final World Cup qualifier against Kuwait. The match concluded in a 0-0 draw, making India’s aspiration to advance to the next round of qualification even more challenging to achieve.
As the departing skipper Sunil Chhetri stepped onto the field for warm-ups an hour before the match, the steadily filling stadium erupted in applause. Chhetri, in return, acknowledged the enthusiastic cheers before joining his teammates for the practice drills.
Despite Chhetri’s emphasis the day before the match on India’s opportunity to advance to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers—a milestone never before achieved in the nation’s history—, the crowd gathered at the stadium couldn’t overlook the significance of their captain’s final appearance. The magnitude of this momentous occasion resonated deeply with the assembled fans, who had come to bid him a heartfelt farewell.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 🫡🫶#SunilChhetri #IndianFootball #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/oIseyjdpno
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) June 6, 2024
After days of containing his emotions, Sunil Chhetri’s feelings finally spilled over as tears when the Indian players formed a guard of honor for him. He made his final walk from the field into the locker room. Thus, the curtain closed on one of the country’s finest strikers, who retired with an impressive record of 94 goals in 151 matches.
Photo credit: thequint.com
