India vs Lebanon SAFF Championship 2023 Semi Finals Live Scores and Updates

That concludes Sportskeeda's coverage of the enthralling showdown between India and Lebanon in the semifinal match of the SAFF Championship 2023. This is Rahul signing off.

What an exhilarating game it has been! Lebanon and India played a nail-biting tie, and it was the Blue Tigers who once again prevailed in the end. India took command in the second half, consistently posing challenges for Lebanon's defense. Although the Cedars posed a threat on the counterattack, India dominated in terms of chances created, particularly in the closing stages.

The game extended into extra time, where Lebanon's goalkeeper Medhi Khalil showcased remarkable saves to keep the hosts at bay. The match then progressed to a penalty shootout, where India displayed exceptional composure and secured their spot in the finals.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu once again shone as the hero, with the crucial save on Hassan Maatouk's first penalty, granting India a significant advantage. India flawlessly converted all their penalties, while Lebanon faltered under pressure and exited the tournament. Igor Stimac's men will now face Kuwait in the finals of the 2023 SAFF Championship on Tuesday, July 4th, setting the stage for another thrilling encounter.

INDIA INTO THE FINAL!💙

Bader skies his penalty!

🇮🇳 ✅✅✅✅
🇱🇧 ❌✅✅❌

📱📺 @FanCode & DD Sports#LBNIND ⚔️ #SAFFChampionship2023 🏆 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽️
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 1, 2023

IT'S ALL OVER!

Lebanon's Khalil Bader skies it over the bar. India win the penalty shootout and book their place in the finals against Kuwait.

UDANTA SINGH MAKES IT 4-2!

A convincing penalty by the new FC Goa man, who slots the ball powerfully.

Lebanon's Mohamed Sadek scores. India 3-2 Lebanon.

Mahesh Singh looked nervous but sends the goalkeeper the wrong way. 3-1 in India's favor.

A superb penalty by Walid Shour, as he confidently places the ball into the net. Lebanon have halved the deficit to 2-1.

Anwar Ali calmly places the ball to the right side of the net. India now lead 2-0.

Now, it's Hassan Maatouk's turn, but Gurpreet guesses the right way and remarkably keeps the ball out. 1-0 advantage for India.

Sunil Chhetri takes charge and confidently finds the back of the net giving India a 1-0 advantage in the shootout.

IT'S TIME FOR PENALTIES! India to take the first spot kick.

Since the opening minute, both goalkeepers have been locked in a fierce battle, single-handedly keeping their respective teams in the game. Lebanon have brought in Ali Sabeh in goal in place of Khalil in the hope of changing the course of the shootout.

The dreaded penalty shootout will test the unwavering resolve and composed mindset of both teams, although India holds a slight advantage due to the fervent support of the home crowd.

SECOND HALF OF ET: India 0-0 Lebanon

120+2' Substitution for Lebanon: Ali Sabeh comes in place of goalkeeper Medhi Khalil for the penalty shootout.

120' Three minutes added on.

119' Another save by Khalil!

Chhangte is played through on goal this time, but his effort is tame, and Khalil parries the ball away with ease.

117' IND 0-0 LEB

While Khalil's shot-stopping has been exceptional, his ability on the ball has been inconsistent today, as he once again surrenders possession.

112' WHAT A RUN BY UDANTA!

Udanta Singh effortlessly bypasses three players, showcasing his exceptional speed. The defenders are unable to lay a hand on the winger, but it is Khalil who rescues Lebanon with a swift rush out and a crucial save.

111' The prospect of a penalty shootout looms large, yet the game continues with unwavering intensity.

108' Lebanon hit India on the break!

Khalil Bader and Zein Farran linkup once more, with Farran attempting a shot from outside the box that narrowly misses the target.

106' Lebanon kick-off the second half of extra time

Half-time in extra time ⏰

1️⃣5️⃣ minutes to find the elusive winner, let's go #BlueTigers!🐯

🇱🇧 0-0 🇮🇳

📱📺 @FanCode & DD Sports#LBNIND ⚔️ #SAFFChampionship2023 🏆 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/1Kmjc47G1U
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 1, 2023

FIRST HALF OF ET: India 0-0 Lebanon

Number of shots: India 17, Lebanon 12.

105' Three minutes added on!

101' Chances galore for India!

Chhangte's cross from a corner situation finds an unmarked Udanta Singh. Astonishingly, Udanta fails to capitalize on his opportunity inside the six-yard box.

100' Chhetri has yet another chance to find the back of the net, but Khalil rushes off his goal line and makes a superb save to deny the Indian captain.

97' Red card shown!

Amidst protests directed at the fourth official, one of Lebanon's assistant coaches is shown a red card and sent off.

95' Another huge opportunity for India!

Udanta Singh's burst of acceleration proves influential as the winger finds an unmarked Chhetri inside the penalty area. However, to everyone's surprise, the 38-year-old fails to hit the target.

93' STUNNING HIT BY CHHETRI!

Chhetri unleashes a remarkable half volley from outside the box, aiming for the top corner of the net. However, Khalil's fingertip save prevents the Indian skipper from finding the back of the net.

92' IND 0-0 LEB

A stoppage in play, as Hussein Zein is receiving medical attention. He is eventually substituted with Khalil Bader taking his place.

91' India get the first half of extra time underway.

END OF SECOND HALF: India 0-0 Lebanon

The two teams remain inseparable after 90 minutes, with extra time coming up.

90' IND 0-0 LEB

Five minutes to be added on to the second half. Ashique Kuruniyan is replaced by Udanta Singh in stoppage time.

86' Anwar Ali hits the crossbar!

Mahesh Singh delivers a corner that finds Anwar Ali, who finds himself unmarked. Ali's looping header hits with the crossbar and the ball to rebounds out of play.

82' Maatouk comes close to scoring

Mahdi Zein and Farran linkup effectively on the left side before releasing Maatouk. His left footed attempted from inside the box, however, sails over the bar.

77' IND 0-0 LEB

Lebanon's man-marking strategy in midfield has suffocated India. Mahesh Gawli will hope that the injection of fresh legs will allow the Blue Tigers to progress into the final third.

73' Triple substitution for India

Thapa, Bose and Sahal are replaced by Rohit Kumar, Akash Mishra, and Naorem Mahesh Singh.

71' Fluid football by India

Sahal and Ashique showcase delightful combination play on the left flank, opening up space for the latter. He delievers a dangerous cross, but Lebanon's center-backs once again steer away the danger.

66' Lebanon's Farran skillfully evades two players from the right side, setting his sights on the goal. However, his left-footed attempt proves to be wayward.

65' IND 0-0 LEB

Fierce challenges are being exchanged as both teams battle relentlessly for control of the game.

62' Another chance for Lebanon

Maatouk's exceptional delivery finds Darwich within the box, but his header fails to trouble Gurpreet, who easily gathers it.

58' First clear-cut chances in the second half!

Mater exploits the space behind Anwar Ali, but his attempt fails to find the target. On the opposite side of the field, India pounce on the opportunity for a counter-attack, but Chhangte's shot lacks power and lands comfortably into Khalil's grasp.

57' Substitution for India: Pritam Kotal is replaced by Nikhil Poojary.

53' A substitution in attack for Lebanon. Karim Darwich comes in place of Markabawi, who has been booked.

51' IND 0-0 LEB

The Mohun Bagan players - Ashique and Bose combine on the left flank. Bose is brought down by Markabawi, winning a free kick, but Lebanon clear the danger.

48' Lebanon's custodian Mehdi Khalil has been suspectable at times with his handling. India seem to have identified this weakness and are actively attempting to exploit it by delivering early crosses into the box.

46' THE SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY!

Air Gurpreet ✈️#LBNIND ⚔️ #SAFFChampionship2023 🏆 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/ODoqIZcoIs
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 1, 2023

The first half between India and Lebanon has transpired as anticipated. The Cedars displayed an attacking approach initially and had several opportunities to take the lead. Notably, Hassan Maatouk played a central role, but Gurpreet Singh Sandhu rose to the occasion, saving India on multiple occasions.

India, on the other hand, recovered from the initial setback and gradually grew into the match. Jeakson Singh came close to finding the net, but his decision-making in the final third let him down. Despite having several half chances to take the lead, Lebanon's resilient defense managed to keep India's attackers at bay for most of the half.

With the stakes high, the second half promises to be a thrilling spectacle. The Blue Tigers will aim to start strongly, while Lebanon could sit back and exploit counter-attacking opportunities, much like they did in the first half.