KOLKATA, India — India's international friendly against two-time World Cup champion Uruguay was halted Tuesday after a thunderstorm and lightning struck near the stadium in Kolkata, with the score tied 1-1 and fans waiting for play to resume.

Players were taken off the field and returned to the locker rooms after lightning was reported near Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, better known as Salt Lake Stadium. Later updates from Indian media said players were returning to the field and the match was expected to resume soon, though no official restart time had been announced.

The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. local time (10 a.m. EDT, 1400 GMT).

Uruguay took the lead in the 12th minute when striker Darwin Núñez converted a penalty.

India responded 10 minutes later. Midfielder Anirudh Thapa scored in the 22nd minute to level the match, giving the home crowd plenty to cheer against one of South America's most successful national teams.

The score remained 1-1 when the storm forced the stoppage.

A GOAL FOR INDIA… ⚽️💪 A GIANT LEAP FOR INDIAN FOOTBALL! 🇮🇳🔥🇮🇳 India 1–1 Uruguay 🇺🇾 Thapa scores against the two-time World Cup champions 😮🔥🔥One goal, One statement… A nation dares to dream 🇮🇳⚽❤️#india #uruguay #football pic.twitter.com/e8inOk7ycX— Shaiju Damodaran (@Shaiju_official) October 6, 2026

A GOAL FOR INDIA… ⚽️💪 A GIANT LEAP FOR INDIAN FOOTBALL! 🇮🇳🔥🇮🇳 India 1–1 Uruguay 🇺🇾 Thapa scores against the two-time World Cup champions........

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