Captain Harmanpreet Singh and forward Abhishek scored two goals each as India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3 in a high-scoring Pool D clash at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 on Wednesday, securing their place in the second round and ending Pakistan’s campaign.
India made an aggressive start at the Wagener Hockey Stadium and quickly established a three-goal advantage. Harmanpreet opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner before Abhishek doubled the lead with a field goal in the 11th minute.
Harmanpreet struck again in the 21st minute to make it 3-0, but Pakistan responded immediately. Hannan Shahid pulled one back in the 22nd minute before Abhishek restored India’s three-goal cushion two minutes later with his second field goal.
Pakistan earned a penalty corner almost immediately and Sufyan Khan converted to reduce the deficit to 4-2 at the interval. The second quarter produced four goals as both sides traded attacking blows.
India extended their advantage early in the third quarter when Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke in the 35th minute, putting India 5-2 ahead.
Pakistan continued to press for a way back into the contest and Hannan Shahid scored his second goal in the 46th minute to make it 5-3. The Pakistanis pushed forward in the closing stages and earned another penalty corner in the 58th minute, but India defended resolutely to preserve their two-goal lead.
The victory confirmed India as the second-placed team in Pool D, behind England, and sent them into the next round. England had earlier defeated Wales 8-2 to finish top of the pool. Pakistan and Wales will now compete in the classification phase.
India’s win also continued their strong recent record against Pakistan. Harmanpreet’s two penalty-corner goals and Abhishek’s brace were complemented by Hardik’s successful penalty stroke as India produced enough attacking quality to withstand Pakistan’s fightback.
India will now enter the second round alongside England, with the Netherlands and the winner of the Argentina-New Zealand clash also joining the next-stage group.
(With agency inputs)
