Published on OCT 3/2026
KOLKATA: India lost to five-time world champions Brazil 0-4 in a friendly held in Kolkata on Saturday, Estêvão and Pedro scoring before half-time and substitute Samuel Lino striking twice after the break.
Khalid Jamil’s side produced a spirited opening half and held their shape impressively for the first 25 minutes. India’s compact defensive structure slowed Brazil’s combinations and denied them easy routes through the centre, although the hosts lacked conviction when possession changed hands.
Vinícius Júnior offered the first warning in the eighth minute, gliding past Bijoy Varghese after cutting in from the left before Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a fine save. India did not retreat completely. Six minutes later, Manvir Singh collected a loose ball on the left and set off on a jinking run, only for Brazil’s defenders to crowd him out inside the area.
Brazil eventually found the breakthrough in the 28th minute. Chelsea forward Estêvão collected the ball near the edge of the box, advanced without a challenge and drove a left-footed effort towards the near post. Sandhu appeared well placed but his attempted parry carried the ball into the net.
The goal loosened Brazil and unsettled India’s goalkeeper. Estêvão crossed for Pedro in the 36th minute, but the striker’s header struck the right post. Six minutes later, the pair combined again: Estêvão slid a precise through ball behind the defence and Pedro timed his run before shooting through Sandhu's right glove. Vinícius almost profited from another uncertain intervention in the 44th, only for India to clear before Danilo could capitalise.
Carlo Ancelotti made five changes at half-time, while Jamil sent on debutant Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Jay Gupta and Mohammed Sanan. India emerged with ambition. Ryan Williams registered the hosts’ first shot on target from distance in the 53rd minute, and two minutes later Manvir forced Morisco to palm his tight-angled attempt behind.
Brazil punished India’s attempt to play out from the back in the 58th minute. Varghese surrendered possession near his own box and Lino pounced, setting himself before curling beyond Gill. Yet India continued to seek a goal. Williams beat his marker and entered the area in the 64th, but Mauro Júnior made a fine block before Brazil survived the ensuing scramble.
The margin was harsh on India’s overall contribution. They had not come simply to protect the scoreline, and their willingness to press forward after the interval briefly gave the home crowd belief that a historic Indian goal might yet arrive.
Gill denied Vanderson in the 92nd minute, diving sharply after the Brazilian collected a rebound. Lino nevertheless completed his brace with the final attack, cutting inside and drilling a low near-post shot through Gill’s palm to make the scoreline emphatic.
MATCH STATS
Overall Possession: India 34,2%, Brazil 65.8%
Goalkeeper saves: India 3, Brazil 2
Fouls committed: India 4, Brazil 7
Corners: India 6, Brazil 8
Total passes: India 330, Brazil 652
Pass accuracy: India 83.6%, Brazil 90.3 %