India vs Kuwait SAFF Championship 2023 Finals Live Scores and Updates

That concludes Sportskeeda's coverage of the thrilling finals between India and Kuwait of the SAFF Championship 2023. This is Rahul signing off and thank you for joining us throughout this special tournament!

🇮🇳 INDIA are SAFF 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 for the 9️⃣th time! 💙

🏆 1993
🏆 1997
🏆 1999
🏆 2005
🏆 2009
🏆 2011
🏆 2015
🏆 2021
🏆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯#SAFFChampionship2023 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/3iLJQSeyWG
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 4, 2023

India's performance throughout the tournament has been nothing short of exceptional. Despite facing numerous challenges along the way, the team has displayed unwavering resilience. This is a night that will go down in the history of Indian football.

After first-half goals from Kuwait’s Alkhaldi and India’s Chhangte, nothing separated both sides after extra time. In the unfolding shootout, both teams experienced their respective moments, with one miss apiece. Nevertheless, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu emerged as the pivotal figure, showing his mettle in the most critical time by saving Kuwait captain Hajiah's decisive penalty. This remarkable save sealed India's triumph with a 5-4 victory in the shootout.

The passionate supporters who filled the Sree Kanteerava Stadium deserve a special mention, as their presence and support played a crucial role in uplifting the team during challenging moments.

This resounding victory signifies the beginning of a new era in Indian football. With an unbeaten streak of 11 games and two trophies within a month, India has not only displayed their mettle but also their ability to compete against higher-ranked opponents.

GURPREEET WITH A STUNNING SAVE AND INDIA WIN THE SAFF CHAMPIONSHIP!

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu guesses the right way and brilliantly keeps out Hajiah's penalty. India win 5-4 on penalties and retain the SAFF Championship.

SCORES! IND 5-4

Mahesh Singh once again remains calm and places it perfectly into the top corner.

SCORES! IND 4-4 KUW

It's level again as Alkhaldi scores.

SCORES! IND 4-3 KUW

We go into sudden death, as Subhasish Bose perfectly slots the ball into the top corner of the net.

IND 3-3 KUW

Gurpreet went early, but Mahran finds the top corner.

UDANTA MISSES! IND 3-2 KUW

A poor penalty by Udanta who puts it over the bar. Kuwait are right back into the game!

SCORES! IND 3-2 KUW

Aldheefery scores despite Gurpreet guessing the right way.

PERFECT FROM CHHANGTE! IND 3-1 KUW

Chhangte places the ball calmy past Marzouq. India have been superb once again.

SCORES! IND 2-1 KUW

Alotaibi halves the deficit.

GOAL! IND 2-0 KUW

This time, it's Jhingan and the man personifies calmness. He sends the keeper the wrong way, similar to Chhetri.

MISS! IND 1-0 KUW

Abdullah powers his shot onto the crossbar. What a miss! India hold the advantage.

SCORES! IND 1-0 KUW

Sunil Chhetri steps up to take the first penalty. Yet another great penalty. Marzouq goes the wrong way as the ball goes in off the post!

Here we go!

Once again, the teams remain deadlocked, unable to be separated, leading us into another nail-biting penalty shootout to determine the winner. India hold the advantage with their experience over Lebanon, and all eyes will be on Gurpreet Singh Sandhu as he will aim to seize the spotlight once more. With a vibrant Bengaluru crowd in attendance, we are set to anticipate another thrilling shooutout unfolding before us.

END OF EXTRA TIME: India 1-1 Kuwait

We are all set for penalties once again!

120' Two minutes added on.

118' WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CHHANGTE!

India execute an impressively crafted play on the right flank. Poojary delivers a precise and lofted cross towards Chhangte. The winger fails to capitalize on the opportunity, as he skews his shot over the crossbar with his weaker foot. Possibly the last chance of the game.

113' Substitution for India: Akash Mishra is replaced by Subhasish Bose.

109' IND 1-1 KUW

Both sides are struggling to establish control, as echoes of 'Vande Mataram' resonates around the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

107' Kuwait open up the Indian defense again!

Alkhaldi and Alotaibi combine, with the latter finding space inside the box. However, Mehtab Singh throws his body on the line to block Alotaibi's shot.

106' Second half of extra time is underway!

FIRST HALF OF ET: India 1-1 Kuwait

Both sides look tired, but Kuwait have been the better side. They came close to scoring towards the end, but Gurpreet safely gathers a long-range effort from the edge of the box.

99' India win a free-kick on the right flank and use a clever set-piece routine. The Blue Tigers utilize short passes and third-man combination, but the final pass is blocked by Kuwait.

97' IND 1-1 KUW

Another injury for Kuwait, and this time the stretcher is out. Abdulaziz Mahran comes in place of Alenezi.

94' Kuwait start the extra time on the front foot and find acres of space on the right flank. However, Mahesh Singh's last-ditch intervention prevents a certain goal.

91' Substitution for Kuwait: Abdullah Alfahad comes in place of Albloushi. India re-start the proceedings!

We’re going to need extra-time to settle this one ⚔️

1️⃣-1️⃣ after 9️⃣0️⃣ minutes 👏🏽#KUWIND ⚔️ #SAFFChampionship2023 🏆 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Ym8U0HMPD5
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 4, 2023

END OF REGULATION TIME: India 1-1 Kuwait

Once more, we find ourselves headed into extra time, with the possibility of a dramatic penalty shootout looming on the horizon to determine the winner.

90+4' Close!

Mahesh Singh's cut-back finds an unmarked Udanta Singh, but the substitute slips at the vital moment. The second ball lands onto Chhetri's feet, but his shot from inside the box is poor.

90+2' WHAT A SAVE BY GURPREET!

Abdullah's effort from inside the box is remarkably parried away Gurpreet in the dying moments of the game.

90' IND 1-1 KUW

Substitution for India: Udanta Singh comes in place of Sahal Abdul Samad.

89' SUPERB BLOCK BY MISHRA!

Akash Mishra jumps the highest from the wall to steer away the danger from Alkhaldi's free kick.

88' Free kick in dangerous area for Kuwait as Mehtab Singh cynically fouls Alrashidi.

87' Double change for Kuwait: Abu Jabarah and Al Qallaf are replaced by Fawaz Alotaibi and Mahdi Dashti

84' Kuwait string together a superb one-touch passing move, but Mehtab Singh is in the right place at the right time to clear the danger.

79' Al Qallaf blazes wide!

Sahal loses the ball in midfield, as Kuwait evade India's pressure. The ball kindly falls to Al Qallaf, who powers his effort over the bar.

75' IND 1-1 KUW

India are orchestrating a series of exceptional moves, showcasing their ability to control the game. Chhetri and Sahal have emerged as key figures, spearheading numerous positive sequences.

74' India are involved in yet another heated exchange. This time, Rohit Kumar brings down Alenezi and is booked by the referee after confronting the Kuwait defender.

71' IND 1-1 KUW

Double change for India: Rohit Kumar and Naorem Mahesh Singh replace Thapa and Ashique Kuruniyan.

68' Substitution for Kuwait: Eid Alrashidi comes in place of Alfaneeni.

65' Another booking for Kuwait

Gurpreet launches a quick pass towards Chhetri from a goal-kick. But the forward is pulled down by Abdullah, who goes into the book.

62' Almost!

Kuruniyan heads a loose ball towards Chhangte, who cleverly runs past his marker. Unfortunately, Chhangte's resulting shot lacks power, allowing Marzouq to easily collect the ball.

58' IND 1-1 KUW

Kuwait are targeting Poojary's side, earning a corner in the process. Jhingan, demonstrating his defensive prowess, once again steps up and effectively eliminates the threat by clearing the ball. Thapa is released on the break, only to be fouled by Alfaneeni, resulting in a prompt booking from the referee.

52' Sahal's on fire!

Sahal has single handedly kept the Bengaluru crowd entertained. This time, he dazzles past three challenges in midfield before releasing Chhetri. However, the pass was slightly out of the Indian skipper's reach.

49' IND 1-1 KUW

Cagey start to the second half, as both sides have been a bit sloppy in possession. The supporters, however, have been in full voice throughout the game.

46' Kuwait start the second half!

Conceded early but the #BlueTigers have fought back and found the equaliser through @lzchhangte7 before half time 💙👏🏽🔥

LETS GO, WE GOT THIS 👊🏽#KUWIND ⚔️ #SAFFChampionship2023 🏆 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/91MiODVhAn
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 4, 2023