Lallianzuala Chhangte breaks Baichung Bhutia's record; becomes youngest Indian scorer

New Delhi: Lallianzuala Chhangte on Sunday became the youngest Indian to score an international goal during the South Asian Football Federation Cup Group A match against Nepal.

The 18-year-old scored a brace, first a 81st minute sumptuous left-footed curler after a solo effort form the right flank than a measured header nine minutes later to help India thrash Nepal 4-1.

The AIFF U-18 Academy product from Mizoram arrived as a substitute for Sanju Pradhan just after the break, and soon made his presence felt with a couple of incisive runs. And with skipper Sunil Chhetri, he toyed with Nepal defence even as Indian defenders failed to play as a cohesive unit against Nepalese counter attacks.

The captain lifting a future star of @AiffMedia football? An inspirational performance by Chhangte! #SAFFSuzukiCup pic.twitter.com/LolVU62Mx2 — SAFF Suzuki Cup (@SAFFSuzukiCup) December 27, 2015

But with each passing minute, India increased the tempo and with attacks coming from either flanks, Nepal succumbed.

Baichung Bhutia, who scored against Uzbekistan in the 1995 Nehru Cup as a 19-year-old, was the youngest Indian to score an international goal before Chhangte.

Chhangte made his India debut against Sri Lanka two days earlier, on December 25.

He will play for DSK Shivajians Football Club in the I-League.