Earlier in the competition, India had lost 0-2 to Kenya in the semifinals. | Photo Credit: AIFF Media

India finished third in the four-team FIFA Series 2026 tournament after beating Malawi 3-2 in the third-place playoff at the Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi on Wednesday.

Substitute Priyadharshini Selladurai struck the decisive blow in the 84th minute to secure the win for the Blue Tigresses. Aveka Singh (45+1’) and Astam Oraon were the other scorers for the Indians.

Khumalo Ireen and Deborah Henry scored for Malawi, which is ranked 153rd in the FIFA’s live rankings.

India started brightly, enjoying early possession. It’s attacking intent paid off in the 18th minute. Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam delivered a floated corner from the right, and Malawian goalkeeper Esther Maulidi came off her line but failed to make contact. The ball bounced off Aveka Singh and fell kindly to Astam, who reacted quickest to poke it into the net and give India the lead. It was the 21-year-old’s first goal for the national team.

After going behind, Malawi grew into the game and began to enjoy more possession in the Indian half. Its pressure paid off in the 42nd minute when Sanfida Nongrum brought down Bernadetta Mkandawire on the edge of the box, conceding a free-kick in a dangerous position. Ireen stepped up and unleashed a superb left-footed strike into the top corner. India goalkeeper Shreya Hooda made contact with the ball but was unable to keep it out.

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However, the Blue Tigresses responded immediately. In the first minute of first-half stoppage time, a slick one-two down the left between Karishma Shirvoikar and Babina Lisham saw the latter whip in a dangerous cross into the box. Aveka was perfectly positioned and scored with a composed volley to restore India’s lead just before the break. Like Astam, it also marked Aveka’s first goal for the Blue Tigresses.

Malawi came out aggressively after the restart and, with fresh legs introduced in attack, pressed the Indian backline in numbers, winning possession on multiple occasions. It equalised for the second time just after the hour mark. Ireen delivered a corner from the right, which was first met by substitute Mulimbika Sarah, and Henry Deborah reacted quickest to fire a volley into the net, making it 2-2.

With the tie seemingly headed for a penalty shootout, the decisive moment arrived six minutes from time. Nirmala’s free-kick from the halfway line picked out substitute Priyadharshini, who did brilliantly to cut inside onto her right foot before unleashing a precise strike into the bottom corner, leaving the Malawi goalkeeper with no chance to make a save.

Earlier in the competition, India had lost 0-2 to Kenya in the semifinals.

Published on Apr 15, 2026