IND 4–0 PAK (FT) | India vs Pakistan SAFF Championship 2023 Result and Highlights: Sunil Chhetri's Hat-Trick Helps Blue Tigers Start Campaign With Emphatic Victory

What a way to start the tournament! India registered an emphatic victory over arch-rivals Pakistan to begin the SAFF Championship 2023 campaign on a high. Sunil Chhetri scored a brilliant hat-trick and Udanta Singh added a fourth to give India a comfortable victory. Pakistan goalkeeper Saqib Hanif's blunder gave India the lead! Since then, it was all India. Head coach Igor Stimac was sent off before half-time, but that did not stop India from scoring two more goals in the second half of the match. 

GOOALLL ! Udanta Singh this time as he pounces on a wonderful delivery to slot it past the Pakistan keeper. India continue to dominate as Pakistan stare at a big defeat! IND 4-0 PAK

GOOOAAL! It is Sunil Chhetri again, who has now completed a hat-trick! The Indian captain was bundled by a Pakistan player and he calmly steps up to convert from the penalty spot! India 3-0 now and it seems all over as time is now running away from Pakistan! IND 3-0 PAK

Both teams have made two subsitutions here. For Pakistan, Hayat and Bashir have been subsituted with Dost and Niazi being included. India on the other hand, have included Nikhil Poojary and Rohit Kumar in place of Anirudh Thapa and Pritam Kotal.

The second half is underway at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium with India looking to build on their 2-0 lead in the match. Pakistan meanwhile would hope to stage a fightback as soon as possible or else it might just become too tough for them. An early goal would open things up for them while another one for India would seal the win for sure. 

The second half is underway at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium with India looking to build on their 2-0 lead in the match. Pakistan meanwhile would hope to stage a fightback as soon as possible or else it might just become too tough for them. An early goal would open things up for them while another one for India would seal the win for sure. 

Some drama here! Indian team head coach Igor Stimac gets into a heated exchange with the Pakistan players after he intercepted a throw-in from a Pakistan player. He has been shown a red card and expelled from the bench! A yellow card shown to the Pakistan coach as well. 

Sunil Chhetri's double strike has kept the Indian team on top in this game and though Pakistan have looked to attack at times, they have not been able to pose any real threat so far. Meanwhile, a heavy drizzle has started at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. 

Sunil Chhetri has been phenomenal and the Indian team is looking dangerous at the moment. Pakistan need a quick response or else the score could get out of hand.

GOOAAL! Again it is Sunil Chhetri and he does not miss from the penalty spot! The Indian team was awarded a penalty after Anirudh Thapa's shot hit a Pakistan player's arms. Chhetri, calm and collected, makes it 2-0 for India! What a start! (IND 2-0 PAK)

GOOOAAL! And it is Sunil Chhetri, who has scored and given India the lead in front of an electrifying atmosphere at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Pakistan goalkeeper made a horrific error and Chhetri pounced on the opportunity, scoring into an empty net!  (IND 1-0 PAK)

GOOOAAL! And it is Sunil Chhetri, who has scored and given India the lead in front of an electrifying atmosphere at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Pakistan goalkeeper made a horrific error and Chhetri pounced on the opportunity, scoring into an empty net!  (IND 1-0 PAK)

The match has gotten off to a great start with both teams looking to attack from the outset and create pressure. Neither India nor Pakistan are making it easy for the other side. It has been a good start to the match so far which promises plenty more excitement!

See Pakistan's XI here

We aren't very far away from kickoff with the lineups for both teams out. Check India's starting XI here.