India 3-2 Malawi Highlights, FIFA Series 2026: Blue Tigresses Clinch Third Spot With Hard-Fought Win

Good evening, football fans! This is the start of our live blog covering the Indian women’s team’s match against Malawi. Stay tuned for pre-match updates and line-ups when they are released.

• Fixture: India Women vs Malawi Women

• Series: FIFA Series 2026

• Venue: Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi, Kenya

• Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026

• Time: 4:30 PM IST

After the national anthems are sung and the hands are shaken, the players take their positions on the pitch in sunny Nairobi. Referee Yordanos Mulugeta blows the whistle, and India take the kick-off to get the third-place play-off match underway.

A good start from India, who are controlling the ball in the early stages. A cut-back from the right results in a shot at goal, but it's saved well by Esther.

It has been a really attacking game so far. India win a corner, which is cleared by the Malawi defence, who try to counter with pace. However, a ball towards the winger runs out of the pitch, resulting in a throw.

Astam Oraon puts India ahead!! A corner from the right is floated in the box. Esther comes out to slap it away but grabs at thin air. Instead, it bounces off against Aveka's body and reaches Oraon, who pokes it into the net.

Since going behind, Malawi have found their footing in the game and are enjoying more of the ball in the Indian half. However, the Bleu Tigresses defence are compact and are not letting anything enter Hooda's penalty area.

An early change for Malawi as Chipikula Vanessa is brought off for Henry Deborah. Will this spark a change in the fortunes for the minnows? Because, so far, India have dominated the tempo of the match.

Free-kick for Malawi! Sanfida Nongrum is the offending party, tripping Bernadetta inside the edge of the box. For a moment, it looked to be a penalty, but it's a free-kick right on the line.

Khumalo Ireen puts Malawi ahead!! What a free-kick from the Malawi forward, floating in a left-footed free-kick that hits the palm of Hooda and nestled into the top corner.

What a goal from Aveka Singh to put India ahead right before the break!! A good one two on the left leads to a brilliant cross in the box. Aveka is in the right place at the right time to poke it acrobatically past the goalkeeper.

After three minutes of stoppage time, the referee blows her whistle to bring the first half to an end. India have been the dominant team and deserve to be ahead at the break, but Malawi had their moments to shine as well. A big second half awaits.

The players return on the pitch for the second half, and it's Malawi who get the action underway. The African side are trailing by a goal at the break, and if they score, we can go into penalties. No changes at the break for either side as far as I can see.

Malawi have started the second half well, pressing the Indian backline in numbers. They make a change up top, with Thom Sabinah being replaced by Mulimbika Sarah as they hope to inject some fresh legs in attack.

As we approach the hour mark, Crispin Chhetri opts for a double change. Malavika and Babina Lisham come off. Rimpa and Priyadarshini are on.

Henry Deborah draws Malawi level at the hour mark!! It comes from a corner on the right, where Sarah wins the header. Deborah is the quickest to react, getting a first-time volley to find the back of the net.

Malawi are putting real pressure on the Indian defensive line. A long ball towards the penalty area is flicked towards the right. The Malawian winger gets a cross in, with a striker lurking in the middle, but Hooda comes out flying to grab the ball mid-air.

The game has turned really scrappy at the moment. Both sides are hoofing in long ball towards the penalty box, but nothing is happening in front of goal. Ten more minutes plus stoppage time before we go to penalties.

Priyadarshini puts India ahead at the death!! A free-kick from the half-way line finds the substitute, who does ever-so-well to cut inside on her right before pulling the trigger to find the bottom corner.

India are third in FIFA Series 2026!! After four minutes of stoppage time, the referee blows the full-time whistle, and the Blue Tigresses have sealed their first win of the calendar year that sees them finish third behind Australia and Kenya, who are in action later tonight in the final.