FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2026: India beat Pakistan in seven-goal thriller, advance to next round

The Indian men’s hockey team will be placed in Pool E alongside England and the top two teams from Pool A

India produced a commanding yet hard-fought performance to defeat Pakistan 5-3 in their concluding Pool D match of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 in Amstelveen on Wednesday.

The victory saw India finish second in the pool and keep their hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive. England topped Pool D with three consecutive wins, while Pakistan and Wales will now compete in the classification phase.

India made a blistering start and established control early, particularly through attacks down the left flank. Captain Harmanpreet Singh led from the front with two goals, while Abhishek too scored twice, with Hardik Singh also being on the scoresheet.

Related: India vs Pakistan Highlights, FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026

Hannan Shahid scored two goals for Pakistan and Sufiyan Khan added another as Pakistan repeatedly threatened to make a comeback, but India maintained their composure when it mattered most.

India opened the scoring in the fifth minute after sustained pressure around the Pakistan circle. A ricochet off Abhishek’s reverse effort was deemed dangerous, earning India a penalty corner.

Harmanpreet’s first drag-flick struck the rusher’s foot, resulting in a retake. The Indian captain made no mistake on the second attempt, sending a powerful flick to the left of goalkeeper Ali Raza to put India 1-0 ahead.

India continued to press aggressively. Shilanand Lakra earned another penalty corner in the sixth minute, but Harmanpreet’s low effort was comfortably kept out by Raza.

Aditya also produced a promising solo run from the right, although his final pass could not find an Indian stick inside the circle.

India doubled their advantage in the 11th minute. Harmanpreet’s aerial found Abhishek, who entered the circle before attempting a clever no-look pass. The ball took a deflection off a cluster of Pakistan defenders and wrong-footed the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

Another penalty corner followed two minutes later, but Pakistan’s defence successfully blocked Harmanpreet’s flick.

India carried their two-goal advantage into the second quarter and extended it in the 21st minute. Hardik’s long scoop was collected by Shilanand, who was then impeded by a Pakistan defender, earning India a penalty corner.

Harmanpreet opted for a variation, setting up Rajinder, whose effort was saved. The rebound fell back to Harmanpreet, who created space to his right before firing home to make it 3-0.

Pakistan responded almost immediately. Vivek Sagar Prasad was dispossessed in the midfield, allowing Pakistan to surge forward. Indian goalkeeper made a good save to deny Moin Shakeel, but Hannan Shahid reacted quickest to the loose ball from the resulting long corner and pulled one back in the 22nd minute.

India restored their three-goal cushion just two minutes later. Jugraj Singh’s slap was trapped superbly by Abhishek at the top of the circle, and the forward continued his run from the left before finishing from a tight angle to make it 4-1.

Pakistan again responded quickly, earning a penalty corner in the same minute. Sufiyan Khan converted with a well-placed flick past the Indian custodian to reduce the deficit to 4-2.

Pakistan enjoyed a strong attacking spell thereafter, looking to exploit India’s occasional lapses in midfield, but Sumit made an important defensive intervention to clear another penalty corner threat.

Four goals were scored in an action-packed second quarter, with both teams finding the net twice.

India restored their three-goal lead in the 35th minute after Aditya was pushed inside the circle, prompting the umpire to award a penalty stroke. Hardik stepped up confidently and converted to make it 5-2.

Pakistan continued to search for openings, but India’s defence largely kept their attacking moves at bay. At the other end, India came close through Sukhjeet, who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but lost control as the ball trickled beyond the baseline.

Pakistan pulled another goal back in the 46th minute when an error in India’s midfield allowed Hannan Shahid to pounce and score his second of the evening, making it 5-3.

The final quarter saw Pakistan throw numbers forward in search of another lifeline, but India remained in control. Pakistan earned a penalty corner in the 58th minute and attempted a variation, but the move broke down when their attacker failed to anticipate the pass.

India saw out the closing moments with composure to secure a 5-3 victory. The result ensured India finished second in Pool D and remained firmly in contention for a place in the semi-finals, while England advanced as pool winners and Pakistan and Wales moved into the classification phase.

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