NEW DELHI: India extended their dominance over arch-rivals Pakistan with a thrilling 5-3 victory in their final Pool D match of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup on Wednesday, overcoming a spirited fightback to book their place in the next round.In a contest befitting one of hockey’s biggest rivalries, India raced to a 3-0 lead before Pakistan repeatedly threatened a comeback. Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek scored twice each, while Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke as India maintained their grip on the contest.As it happened: India vs Pakistan, Hockey World CupPakistan fought back through Hannan Shahid’s brace and Sufyan Khan’s penalty-corner strike, but India held their nerve during a tense final quarter, including a spell when they were reduced to 10 players.India finished second in Pool D with six points from three matches, behind England, who topped the group with nine points. Pakistan were eliminated.
Harmanpreet, Abhishek put India in command
India made a flying start and were rewarded with their first penalty corner in the fifth minute. Harmanpreet’s initial drag-flick struck a Pakistan defender’s foot, but the India captain got another opportunity and made no mistake.He kept his second effort low and hard towards the goalkeeper’s left, beating the post defender to put India ahead.India doubled their advantage in the 11th minute. Abhishek showed excellent control to bring down an aerial ball before playing it across goal, with the ball eventually finding the net off a Pakistan stick. The goal was initially credited to Mandeep Singh during the live action, but the FIH website later credited it to Abhishek.India continued to dominate possession and territory, with much of the play taking place in Pakistan’s half. The hosts went into the first-quarter break with a 2-0 advantage.Harmanpreet then struck again in the 21st minute, this time following a penalty-corner variation. Rajinder Singh took the initial drag-flick, which was saved, but India retained possession and Harmanpreet hammered the rebound past the goalkeeper.The goal took Harmanpreet’s tally to five at the 2026 World Cup.
Pakistan fight back in goal-filled second quarter
Pakistan refused to fold and immediately pulled one back through Hannan Shahid in the 22nd minute. Suraj made the initial save, but Hannan reacted quickest to the rebound and beat the goalkeeper at the second attempt.India restored their three-goal cushion almost immediately. Abhishek produced a superb individual move inside the circle, showing excellent dribbling skills before his effort took a deflection off a Pakistan stick and found the net.Pakistan responded once again. Sufyan Khan converted a penalty corner in the 25th minute, with his drag-flick taking a deflection off Amit Rohidas before ending up in the goal.The second quarter had produced four goals and turned the contest into an increasingly frantic affair. India went into half-time with a 4-2 advantage, but Pakistan had shown they were capable of causing problems.
Hardik restores three-goal cushion
India regained some breathing space early in the second half when they were awarded a penalty stroke after an intentional foul inside the circle. Hardik Singh stepped up and made no mistake, sending the ball into the net to restore India’s three-goal advantage.Pakistan continued to push forward, but India defended several dangerous moments effectively. The visitors also earned a penalty corner on the counter-attack, only for India’s rushing defenders to put enough pressure on the drag-flicker to force the effort wide.India remained in control heading into the final quarter, although Abhishek came close to adding another before his effort struck the side netting.
Pakistan threaten late, but India hold firm
Pakistan made the perfect start to the final quarter when Hannan Shahid scored his second goal in the 46th minute. Pakistan won possession after Hardik lost the ball in midfield, and Hannan produced a composed finish to cut India’s lead to 5-3.India were increasingly forced to defend as Pakistan pressed high in search of another opening. The pressure intensified when Aditya Arjun was shown a yellow card, leaving India with 10 players for the final five minutes.Pakistan won a penalty-corner referral after the ball was adjudged to have hit the shin guard of an Indian defender and continued throwing players forward. India, however, defended resolutely and refused to surrender their two-goal advantage.The result extended India’s strong recent dominance over Pakistan and ensured they advanced to the next round of the World Cup, while Pakistan’s campaign came to an end.
