India Holds Panama to 1-1 Draw in Bengaluru
· Sports · Times of India, India Today, NDTV Sports
India held Panama to a 1-1 draw in Bengaluru on September 25, 2026, in a match against World Cup-bound Panama. Ryan Williams gave India the lead four minutes before halftime with a composed finish after Akash Mishra's long ball, but Omar Valencia equalised in the 68th minute with a long-range strike. The Blue Tigers, ranked 138th globally and playing in Bengaluru for the first time since the 2023 SAFF Championship, showed resilience against the world No. 44 side who had several World Cup participants. Khalid Jamil's side created multiple chances but were unable to convert their dominance into a winning goal.
Why it matters
The draw provides crucial confidence for India's World Cup campaign as they prepare for upcoming qualifiers, while Panama gains a platform to build momentum. The result validates India's defensive solidity against higher-ranked opposition.
Read the original report — Times of India
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