Amstelveen, August 19, 2026: India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3 in a high-intensity Pool D clash of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 at the Wagener Stadium on Wednesday, leaving Pakistan without a win in the tournament.
India made a flying start, with captain Harmanpreet Singh converting a penalty corner in the fifth minute to give his side the lead. Abhishek doubled the advantage six minutes later with a field goal as India finished the opening quarter 2-0 ahead.
Harmanpreet struck again from a penalty corner in the 21st minute to extend India’s lead to 3-0.
Pakistan responded quickly, with Hannan Shahid pulling one back through a field goal in the 22nd minute. Abhishek restored India’s two-goal cushion a minute later before Sufyan Khan converted a penalty corner in the 24th minute to make it 4-2.
India maintained their advantage into halftime and extended it further four minutes after the restart when Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke.
Pakistan earned a penalty corner in the 41st minute but failed to capitalise as India maintained control of the match through the third quarter.
The Green Shirts launched a determined comeback in the final quarter, with Hannan Shahid scoring his second goal to reduce the deficit to 5-3.
Pakistan pushed forward in search of further goals while India also created opportunities on the counterattack, but neither side could add to the score before the final whistle.
The defeat leaves Pakistan without a victory in the tournament. They opened their campaign with a 4-1 defeat against England before drawing 3-3 with Wales in their second pool match.
India’s victory strengthens their position in Pool D and adds another significant win to the long-standing rivalry between the two sides.
