Football

Sahal Abdul Samad shines with audacious nutmeg in India's friendly against Brazil

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Oct 4, 2026, 13:34 IST

While Brazil secured a 4-0 victory in their international friendly against India, midfielder Sahal Abdul Samad captured headlines with a skillful nutmeg on Douglas Santon, earning praise for his composure against the South American giants.

Sahal Abdul Samad shines with audacious nutmeg in India's friendly against Brazil

Indian midfielder Sahal Abdul Samad provided a moment of individual brilliance that captivated fans during Saturday's international friendly against Brazil. Despite the visitors securing a comprehensive 4-0 victory, it was Samad’s audacious nutmeg on Brazilian star Douglas Santon that became the most discussed highlight of the match for the home supporters.

The skillful maneuver, which saw Samad thread the ball through the legs of his opponent, quickly circulated across social media platforms. While the result favored the South American side, the Indian team showcased several flashes of individual quality, including a notable turn on the right wing by Ryan Williams and persistent attacking runs from Manvir Singh, which provided brief moments of optimism for the local crowd.

Ancelotti praises Indian resilience

Following the conclusion of the match, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti offered words of encouragement to the Indian side, acknowledging the tactical discipline displayed by the hosts. The 67-year-old manager noted that India remained organized and committed to a counter-attacking strategy throughout the encounter.

Ancelotti admitted that Brazil initially struggled to break down the Indian defense, noting that the game only opened up after Estevao scored the opening goal. The coach described the match as an entertaining and high-intensity experience, emphasizing that the fixture served as a valuable opportunity to test his squad's depth and integrate new-generation players into the international setup.

Statistical disparity highlights the challenge

The match statistics reflected the significant gulf in experience and pedigree between the two nations. Brazil dominated possession with 65.8 percent compared to India's 34.2 percent. The visitors were clinical in their approach, registering 20 total attempts with seven on target, while India managed nine attempts and three on target.

The disparity was further evident in the final third, where Brazil completed 156 successful passes compared to India's 29. The South American side maintained a passing accuracy of 90.3 percent from 652 total passes, while India recorded an 83.6 percent accuracy rate from 330 passes. Defensively, India remained active, recording 23 clearances and six tackles as they worked to contain the persistent Brazilian pressure. Ultimately, while the scoreline favored the visitors, the match provided a significant platform for the Indian players to test themselves against world-class opposition.