Amstelveen, August 20: India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3 in a thrilling Pool D clash at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 in Amstelveen, Netherlands, securing their place in the second round of the tournament. The high-scoring victory saw India finish second in Pool D with six points, while Pakistan were eliminated.
India made a strong start to the match and established an early advantage. Captain Harmanpreet Singh and forward Abhishek played key roles in India’s attacking display, with both players scoring twice during the encounter. Hardik Singh also found the net as India maintained control of the contest.
Pakistan fought back strongly after falling behind and managed to score three goals, keeping the intense contest alive. However, India responded effectively and maintained enough of an advantage to secure a 5-3 victory at the final whistle.
The victory was particularly significant because it came against India’s traditional rivals in a decisive World Cup fixture. India entered the match knowing that a positive result would guarantee progression to the next stage, while Pakistan needed a win to keep their tournament campaign alive.
With the win, India finished second in Pool D behind England, who topped the group with nine points from three victories. India’s six-point tally was enough to take them into the second round, while Pakistan’s campaign came to an end.
The result also extended India’s strong recent record against Pakistan in international hockey. The match once again produced an entertaining and fiercely contested encounter between the two sides, with India ultimately holding their nerve in the closing stages.
Despite the victory, India’s performance also highlighted areas that will need improvement in the second round. The team conceded three goals and faced periods of pressure from Pakistan, raising concerns about defensive consistency as the competition moves into a more demanding phase.
India will now turn its attention to the second round, where the level of competition is expected to increase considerably. The team will look to build on its attacking strengths while tightening its defence as it pursues a place in the semi-finals.
The 2026 Men’s Hockey World Cup is being hosted in Belgium and the Netherlands, with matches taking place in Wavre and Amstelveen. India’s victory over Pakistan has ensured that the Indian men’s team remains firmly in contention for the World Cup title.
