Midfielder Anirudh Thapa scored for India against Uruguay in their FIFA international friendly in Kolkata on Tuesday. While Thapa got his fifth international goal, he is not the first Indian to score against them. Manas Bhattacharya scored against Uruguay during the 1982 Nehru Cup, also held at Eden Gardens.
Midfielder Anirudh Thapa equalised for India against Uruguay in their FIFA international friendly in Kolkata on Tuesday.
The goal equalised the scoreline after Darwin Nunez had found the back of the net from the penalty spot.
It was Ryan Williams' initial shot which was saved by Uruguayan goalkeeper Thiago Cardozo. However, Thapa
Who is Anirudh Thapa?
Thapa plays for Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the Indian Super League, and has previously played for Chennaiyin FC.
More about Anirudh Thapa here.
He made his India debut back in 2017 and has since made more than 60 appearances and netted four goals. Tuesday's strike was his fifth, and first since March 2023 when he scored against Myanmar.
Is Anirudh Thapa the first Indian to score against Uruguay?
Thapa, however, is not the first Indian to score against La Celeste.
In 1982, former India international Manas Bhattacharya scored against Uruguay during the Nehru Cup at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. That match ended with a 1-3 loss for India.
Bhattacharya was a reputed winger in the 1970s and 1980s, who won many laurels while playing for Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting.