The Indian football team lifted the SAFF Cup for the seventh time, coming from behind to defeat a higher-ranked Afghanistan, thanks to a Sunil Chhetri goal in the 11th minute of extra time.

India faced an uphill task against defending champions Afghanistan, but held their own in a scoreless first half. The Afghans, however, drew first blood thanks to an Amiri goal in the 70th minute. The lead did not last for long though as Jeje Lalpekhlua equalised within two minutes, slotting it in at the far post.

It was the talismanic captain Chhetri who had the last laugh, sliding in a low, critical shot in the 101st minute of extra time to give India the lead. India held on to their lead to lift the SAFF Cup, which comes as a measure of relief to beleaguered manager Stephen Constantine after a World Cup qualifying campaign that has resulted in only one win from six matches.