Amstelveen, 19 August 2026: India celebrated a thrilling 5-3 victory over Pakistan in their final Pool D match of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, securing their spot as the second team in the pool and keeping their semi-final dreams alive. England emerged as the group leaders after winning all their matches, while Pakistan and Wales will now head into the classification matches.
From the start, India showcased their strength, particularly with quick plays down the left side. Team captain Harmanpreet Singh led the charge, scoring two goals, while Abhishek matched his efforts with a pair of his own, alongside a goal from Hardik Singh. Although Hannan Shahid scored twice for Pakistan and Sufiyan Khan added another, India held their ground when the pressure mounted.
The match kicked off strongly for India, who took the lead in just the fifth minute after applying consistent pressure. A risky shot from Abhishek prompted a penalty corner, which Harmanpreet converted after a miss on his first attempt. This set the tone for India’s aggressive gameplay.
As the game progressed, India maintained their momentum, doubling their lead in the 11th minute when Abhishek cleverly set up a goal that caught the Pakistani defense off guard. Just a short while later, Harmanpreet showcased his skills again at a penalty corner, though the shot was blocked.
By the second quarter, India looked to widen the gap further. A penalty corner in the 21st minute was tactfully played out, allowing Harmanpreet to score again, bringing the score to 3-0. However, Pakistan quickly responded, with Hannan Shahid scoring after a scramble for the ball, bringing them back into contention at 3-1.
India quickly regained their lead when Abhishek, brilliantly coordinating with Jugraj Singh, slotted home another goal, making it 4-1. Pakistan countered shortly after, with Sufiyan Khan converting a penalty corner, tightening the score to 4-2.
The action-packed second quarter ended with both teams trading goals, highlighting the fierce rivalry on display. In the third quarter, India managed to extend their lead again when Hardik successfully converted a penalty stroke, boosting the score to 5-2.
Despite Pakistan’s attempts to close the gap further, Indian defense remained resilient, although they did concede another goal later on. Hannan Shahid made it 5-3 in the 46th minute, bringing some hope back for Pakistan.
As the final quarter approached, Pakistan intensified their efforts, pushing for more goals, but India’s defense stood strong. A missed opportunity on a penalty corner for Pakistan towards the end sealed the match for India.
India’s solid performance not only secured them a vital win but ensured they finished second in Pool D, keeping alive their hopes for a place in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, England topped the group, while Pakistan and Wales will move on to the classification phase.
