India Open FIFA U-15 World Cup Campaign with 4-2 Win Over Laos

India began their campaign at the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival Azerbaijan 2026 with an impressive 4-2 victory over Laos in their Group K opener at the Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku on Saturday.

Captain Macdonnish Ngairangbam and R Lalremruatfela gave India an early two-goal cushion, but Laos fought back to level the score at 2-2. India responded strongly in the closing stages, with Lalremruatfela scoring his second goal before Soumojit Sarkar struck from near the halfway line to seal the win.

The result earned Bibiano Fernandes' side their first three points of the tournament and provided a positive start to a demanding qualification campaign.

India dominated the opening exchanges, creating two opportunities within the first four minutes. Deepak Singh Arambam's powerful left-footed shot from inside the box was saved by Laos goalkeeper Anousith Souksavanh in the third minute, while Macdonnish was denied by the advancing goalkeeper shortly afterwards.

The breakthrough arrived in the seventh minute. Deepak showcased excellent footwork to penetrate the penalty area before cutting the ball back for Macdonnish, who finished from close range.

India doubled their lead four minutes later when Deepak blocked a Laos clearance. The ball fell to Lalremruatfela, who controlled it before firing home with his left foot to make it 2-0.

Laos responded almost immediately, with Anavin Xayyasone reducing the deficit in the 12th minute through a long-range effort that left India goalkeeper Jenit Ningthoujam with little chance.

After a relatively quiet spell, India threatened again following the restart. Macdonnish came close to extending the lead in the 21st minute, but his header from a corner narrowly missed the target.

Laos drew level in the 24th minute when Souksavanh Siliseng struck a first-time shot from outside the penalty area, finding the bottom corner to make it 2-2.

The equaliser prompted India to increase the pressure, and their persistence paid off in the 31st minute. Lalremruatfela collected a pass from Soumojit Sarkar before unleashing a left-footed strike from outside the box into the far corner, restoring India's lead at 3-2.

Sarkar then produced one of the game's standout moments in the 33rd minute, scoring from just inside the halfway line with an audacious effort that sailed over the goalkeeper and into the net.

India managed the closing stages effectively, preserving their two-goal advantage to secure a deserved victory.

The inaugural tournament features 189 national teams divided into 32 groups, with matches played in an eight-a-side format. Each game consists of two 20-minute halves, with rolling substitutions allowed.

India face Cameroon on Sunday before taking on Grenada later the same day. Their qualification-stage campaign will conclude with matches against Bahrain and Senegal on October 26. Results across the five matches will determine the performance tier in which each team competes during the second phase.

India's comeback after surrendering their initial two-goal advantage will be an encouraging sign for the coaching staff, particularly as the team prepares for a busy schedule against opponents from different footballing backgrounds.