SAFF Championship: Bangladesh ends Sri Lanka’s qualification chances with thumping 4-0 win

Hamza Choudhury scored Bangladesh’s second goal against Sri Lanka in his first game as captain. | Photo Credit: X @bafufe

Bangladesh ran out 4-0 winners against a hapless Sri Lanka in the final Group A encounter at the SAFF Championship 2026 in the National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday.

The Bengal Tigers had already sealed their place in the final four ahead of the contest, but were in no mood to relent as their attackers put on a show against the Golden Lions.

Shamit Shome opened the scoring in the eighth minute, knocking the rebound into the net after his initial shot was blocked by the defender.

Sri Lanka did well to remain in the game through the first half, with Rajamohan coming closest to finding an equalising goal. Captain Hamza Choudhury doubled the lead close to half-time with a low shot that deflected in off the keeper.

AS IT HAPPENED | Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka SAFF Championship Highlights

After a cagey start to the second half, the game burst into life when Farhaan Ali Wahid used his trickery to beat two defenders in the box before finding the back off the net via a deflection.

With the side needing two goals to qualify as the second-placed team in the group, Sri Lanka threw more bodies forward, but that only helped Bangladesh create more chances through counterattacks.

Rakib Hossain provided the finishing touch three minutes before the end, dinking the ball over the keeper after finding himself in a one-on-one position.

With momentum on their side, the Tigers will face Pakistan in the semifinal.