Sunil Chhetri has equalled the legendary Pele by making the 77th international goal as his 83rd minute strike, on October 10, 2021.

Key Points

• 77th goal by Chhetri during the strike helped India to beat Nepal by 1-0.
• This goal also saved his side from the verge of elimination in SAFF Championships.
• This achievement was made by Chhetri while playing in his 123rd match for India.
• He is now placed on joint third with Ali Mabkhout from UAE, in the list of highest scorers among active footballers.
• He is behind Cristiano Ronaldo with 112 goals and Lionel Messi with 79 goals.

Seven-time champions India has now been placed at the third place with five points from three matches in “five-team table”. India is placed below Maldives with six points from three matches and Nepal with six points from three matches. India still needs to win the final round-robin league match against hosts Maldives in order to make it for the final.