New Delhi: India produced a commanding performance against arch-rivals Pakistan, securing a 5-3 victory in their third and final Pool D match of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 in Amstelveen on Wednesday.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek scored two goals each, while Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke as India maintained their lead throughout the contest at the Wagener Stadium. The win gave India their second victory of the tournament and secured their place in the second round.
India made a strong start, scoring twice in the opening quarter. Harmanpreet opened the scoring in the fifth minute before adding another goal early in the second quarter. Abhishek then found the net twice as India extended their advantage.
Pakistan responded with two goals in the second quarter and remained competitive, but India continued to control the game. Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke in the third quarter to restore India’s momentum and add another goal to the scoreboard.
Pakistan managed to score again within the opening minute of the final quarter, reducing the deficit to two goals. However, India held their nerve and prevented their rivals from completing a comeback, eventually securing a 5-3 victory.
The result leaves India second in Pool D with six points from three matches. England finished top of the group with a perfect nine points after winning all three of their matches.
Harmanpreet has emerged as one of India’s key performers at the tournament. His two goals against Pakistan took his tally to five goals in three matches. He had already scored twice in India’s opening 3-1 win over Wales and added another goal during the 2-4 defeat against England.
For Pakistan, the defeat ended their hopes of progressing to the title race. They finished third in Pool D with one point from three matches after losing 0-4 to England, drawing 3-3 against Wales and suffering the 3-5 defeat against India.
Pakistan and Wales will now enter the 9th to 16th classification stage, while India move forward into the second round with their title hopes alive.
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