On Sunday, 18-year-old Lallianzuala Chhangte became the youngest goal scorer for India, when he struck a brace during a match with Nepal, catapulting India into the semis for the SAFF Cup.
A product of DSK Shivajians, English giant Liverpool's youth academy in India, Mizoramese footballer Chhangte beat former India captain Baichung Bhutia’s record of being the youngest Indian to score in an international match.
The prodigy made his senior debut on Friday as a substitute against Sri Lanka and went on to become the youngest ever to be capped for the nation. On Sunday’s match against Nepal too, he appeared as a replacement for Sanju Pradhan as play resumed after the half time break.
India coach Stephen Constantine picked Chhangte after he represented India in the U19s for the AFC U19s Championship qualifiers.
Both of Chhangte’s goals came after India was leading with a 67th-minute goal from captain Sunil Chhetri.
The first goal was an absolute gem as he danced past the Nepalese left back in the right wing to create space and found the back of the net in the 81st-minute with a left foot curler from just outside the box.
The second was a calm and composed header as he met a well floated cross from Rowlin Borges in the 90th minute.