Ryan Williams' Strike Helps India Hold World Cup Side Panama to 1-1 Draw

India held FIFA World Cup 2026 participants Panama to a 1-1 draw in an international friendly at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, with Ryan Williams scoring the hosts' goal.

Playing their first match in Bengaluru since winning the SAFF Championship at the same venue in 2023, India were largely on the back foot early as Panama, ranked 94 places above them, enjoyed more possession. The Blue Tigers stayed compact and threatened on the counter, with Williams twice going close before finally breaking through four minutes before half-time. Akash Mishra played a well-weighted ball forward, and Williams timed his run behind the Panama defence perfectly, rounding goalkeeper Marcos Reyes to slot home and give Khalid Jamil's side the lead.

Panama came out with greater urgency after the break and were rewarded when Omar Valencia unleashed a dipping strike from distance past Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to level the scores. Despite late pushes from both sides, the scoreline held. India, ranked 138th in the world, will next host Brazil and Uruguay in friendlies as part of their build-up.