Sunil Chhetri Surpasses Lionel Messi To Become Second-Highest International Goal Scorer

Chhetri, 36, scored both of his goals in the second half, netting the ball into the goalpost in the 79th and 92nd minutes.

Image: PTI

Sunil Chhetri from India, who scored a brace in India's 2-0 win over Bangladesh in Doha on Monday, surpassed Lionel Messi of Argentina as the second-highest active international goal scorer with 74 goals.

The 36-year-old striker, who helped India win their first FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifier, is only second on the active international goal scorer list to Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (103).

Chhetri has also climbed to 11th place on the men's all-time international goal scorers list. With 75 goals, he ranks just behind Hungary's Sandor Kocsis, Japan's Kunishige Kamamoto, and Kuwait's Bashar Abdullah.

Ali Mabkhout from UAE, who is close behind him on the list, increased his tally to 73 after scoring against Malaysia last week. Last Thursday, however, Messi scored his 72nd international goal against Chile.

Sunil Chhetri scored twice as India defeated Bangladesh 2-0 in the joint preliminary round match at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Monday. It was India's first win in FIFA World Cup qualifiers in six years.

Chhetri's first goal came in the 79th minute, keeping his team on track for a spot in the third qualifying round of the 2023 Asian Cup.

Playing a match on the bench, second-half substitute Ashique Kuruniyan delivered a cross from the left for Chhetri, who headed in brilliantly from behind Topu Barman at the Al Sadd Stadium after a long run and from a tight angle.

After receiving the ball from Suresh Singh on the right flank, it was that man Chhetri who rounded off his night with another fine strike in extra time (90+2).

The two goals gave India their first victory in what was turning out to be one of their worst World Cup qualifying campaigns in many years. It was also their first victory away from home in World Cup qualifiers in 20 years.

After Chhetri's 73rd goal in international football, a confident India found themselves pressing in the opposition half, and the move paid off for beleaguered coach Igor Stimac, as the captain scored his and the team's second just before the final whistle.

Despite being ahead, India looked to add to their lead, with both Ashique and Chhetri linking up well, even as the majority of Bangladesh players moved up in search of an equaliser.

In the end, the equaliser did not materialise, but India finished on a high note, giving their campaign a much-needed boost after a string of losses.