New Zealand thrashed India 5-0 in an international friendly at the Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Thursday, handing the Blue Tigers a heavy defeat in the first of their two-match series on New Zealand soil.

It was a nightmare start for India. Trying to play out from the back in the fifth minute, the visitors lost possession, and Jesse Randall's cutback was cleared by Pramveer straight into defender Bijoy Varghese, with the ball bouncing into the net for an unfortunate own goal.

Randall runs riot before half-time

Randall then took the game away from India before the break. Released by Matt Garbett, the winger beat Varghese and fired home via a deflection in the 34th minute, then curled in a clinical finish in the 43rd minute to complete his brace and send the All Whites in 3-0 up at half-time.

Wood and Bayliss complete the rout

Captain Chris Wood rose highest to head home a superb cross from Callan Elliot in the 57th minute, and Lachlan Bayliss added a fifth late on. Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith at least spared India a sixth, diving to his right to save a penalty in the 78th minute.

The match was India's first ever on New Zealand soil. Ranked 138th in the world, Khalid Jamil's side were up against a New Zealand team ranked 88th that played at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the gulf showed. The teams meet again in the second friendly in Christchurch on Sunday, 15 November. Read the match highlights at The Daily Jagran and Sports Mole.