India End Seven-Year Wait, Beat Bangladesh 3-1 to Win SAFF Women’s Championship 2026
India are once again the queens of South Asian football. The Blue Tigresses ended a seven-year wait for continental glory on Saturday, defeating defending champions Bangladesh 3-1 in the final of the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa.
The victory secured a record-extending sixth SAFF title for India and marked their return to the summit of regional football for the first time since 2019.
Goals from Pyari Xaxa, Sanfida Nongrum and Lynda Kom Serto powered India to victory in a fiercely contested final, while Ritu Porna Chakma scored Bangladesh’s only goal. The triumph completed a dominant campaign for the hosts, who won all four matches, scored 18 goals and conceded just once throughout the tournament.
As the final whistle blew, emotions spilled across the pitch. Players embraced one another while the coaching staff celebrated a long-awaited achievement. One of the most touching moments came when Sanfida Nongrum, who scored in both the semi-final and final, dropped to her knees before embracing veteran forward Grace Dangmei.
The final also marked the end of an era for Indian football as Grace announced her retirement from international football after the match. Having represented India 95 times since making her debut in 2013, the legendary forward concluded her international career with a third SAFF Women's Championship title.
The final brought together the two strongest teams in South Asian women's football. Bangladesh arrived as defending champions and were chasing a historic third consecutive title, while India were determined to reclaim the trophy after falling short in the previous two editions.
India received a significant boost before kick-off with the inclusion of Manisha Kalyan in the starting eleven. Making her first start of the tournament, the experienced forward immediately added creativity and attacking threat to the Indian frontline.
The hosts controlled possession from the opening exchanges and created the better chances. Sanfida Nongrum was among the first to test the Bangladesh defence, attempting a difficult effort from a narrow angle that sailed over the crossbar. India came close again in the 16th minute when Bangladesh goalkeeper Mile Akter misjudged a long ball from Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam. The loose ball fell kindly for Astam Oraon, but the defender could not keep her effort on target.
Bangladesh, however, remained dangerous on the counterattack. Ritu Porna Chakma nearly produced a spectacular goal in the 23rd minute when her curling corner drifted dangerously towards goal before landing just over the bar. The pressure continued to build from the hosts. Aveka Singh headed narrowly wide from a Nirmala cross before Mile Akter made an excellent save to deny Manisha Kalyan’s powerful half-volley.
India’s persistence finally paid off in the 42nd minute. Pyari Xaxa received the ball inside the penalty area and showed excellent footwork to create space for a shot. Her effort took a crucial deflection off Surovi Akter and looped over the advancing goalkeeper before finding the back of the net.
The goal appeared to have given India a crucial advantage heading into the interval, but Bangladesh responded immediately.
Deep into first-half stoppage time, Ritu Porna Chakma collected the ball on the left flank, cut inside and drove a low shot into the far corner beyond Panthoi Chanu Elangbam. It was the first goal India had conceded in the tournament and ensured the teams headed into the dressing room level at 1-1. The second half began in dramatic fashion.
Just 40 seconds after the restart, India regained the lead. Pyari Xaxa turned provider, delivering a dangerous cross from the right flank. Sanfida Nongrum rose highest inside the box and powered a header into the net via the post, sending the home crowd into celebration.
The goal completely shifted the momentum of the contest.
India looked composed and confident in possession while Bangladesh struggled to replicate the attacking threat they had shown during the first half. The midfield trio controlled proceedings and prevented Bangladesh from building sustained pressure.
There were still anxious moments for the hosts. Maria Manda nearly caught goalkeeper Panthoi off her line with a dangerous delivery, but the Indian shot-stopper reacted brilliantly to tip the ball away. India continued to threaten going forward and nearly added a third when Manisha Kalyan's volley drifted narrowly wide after excellent work from Sanfida.
The decisive moment eventually arrived in the 82nd minute.
A defensive lapse inside the Bangladesh penalty area allowed substitute Lynda Kom Serto to pounce on a loose ball. The forward reacted quickest and calmly slotted home to make it 3-1 and effectively seal the title. Bangladesh were unable to mount a comeback in the closing stages as India comfortably saw out the remainder of the match.
The victory crowned a near-perfect tournament for the Blue Tigresses. Aveka Singh finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with four goals, Sanfida Nongrum was named the Most Valuable Player, while goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam received the Best Goalkeeper award. Nepal claimed the Fair Play award.
For India, the triumph represents more than just another trophy. It signals the return of the region’s most successful women’s football team to the top of South Asian football and provides a strong foundation as the Blue Tigresses look ahead to bigger challenges on the continental stage.
After seven years of waiting, India are SAFF champions once again.
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