Sunil Chhetri equaled the iconic Lionel Messi with his 80th international strike as an inspired India blanked Nepal 3-0 for their eighth SAFF Championship title, held on October 16, 2021.
This is the eighth SAFF Championship title claimed by the Indian men’s national football team. Previously the team had won the title in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, and 2015.
Sunil Chhetri, Suresh Singh Wangjam, and Sahal Abdul Samad were the goal scorer for the Indian team in the final. Top Scorer in the championship Sunil Chhetri (Captain) – Five goals.
Meanwhile, Sunil Chhetri scored his 80th international strike at the championship to equal his score with iconic Lionel Messi and became the second-highest goal-scorer in international football among active players.