BLATANT CHEATING! Qatar Beat India With A Controversial Goal After Ball Was Out Of Play, Resulting In Their FIFA WC Qualifiers Exit - WATCH VIDEO

A significant controversy erupted during India's FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match against Qatar on Tuesday at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha. The hosts managed to equalize with a contentious goal and then clinched a last-minute winner, leading to a heartbreaking 1-2 defeat for India. This loss dashed India's World Cup hopes, as they were eliminated from the tournament in the second round. Lallianzuala Chhangte had initially given India a well-deserved lead in the 37th minute, bringing them close to a significant victory in their first match following Sunil Chhetri's retirement. However, the game took a controversial turn that saw the Gurpreet Singh Sandhu-led team lose their advantage.

The pivotal moment occurred in the 73rd minute when Yousef Aymen scored an equalizer for Qatar after the ball had apparently gone out of play. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu managed to save Aymen’s header at the far post, but the ball slipped under him and crossed the line, seemingly warranting a corner for Qatar. Yet, Al-Hashmi backheeled the ball into the box, and Aymen tapped it in for the goal. This led to wild celebrations from the Qatari players, while the Indian team vehemently protested. Sandhu rushed to the line referee, arguing that the ball was out of play, but the officials ignored the protests. With no VAR to review the decision, India was left to contend with what they perceived as "pathetic refereeing."

Qatar's Ahmed Al-Rawi scored the second goal in the 85th minute, securing victory for the Asian champions. In another second-round match, Kuwait defeated Afghanistan 1-0, allowing both Qatar and Kuwait to progress to the next round of the Qualifiers. Despite the setback, India's 121st-ranked team had defied expectations by challenging Qatar robustly, especially after Chhangte's goal.

Chhangte’s goal came after a precise diagonal pass from Brandon Fernandes, which he skillfully converted into the bottom corner, outmanoeuvring his marker. This goal was particularly significant for Chhangte, who had missed two earlier chances set up by Fernandes. His successful strike not only broke the deadlock but also marked a personal milestone, making him India's highest-scoring active player with eight goals, a notable achievement in Indian football.

Social media users expressed their anger and even tagged FIFA on Twitter demanding a rematch. This match encapsulates the highs and lows of football, with India showcasing remarkable potential and resilience, only to be thwarted by a controversial decision that sparked considerable debate and frustration among players and fans alike.

Image Source: Twitter