Amstelveen - India produced a spirited performance to defeat Pakistan 5-3 in their final Pool D match of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 in Amstelveen on Wednesday. The victory took India to six points and secured second place in the pool, keeping their hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive. England topped Pool D with three wins, while Pakistan and Wales moved into the classification phase.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh led India’s charge with two goals, while Abhishek also scored twice and Hardik Singh added one. Pakistan’s Hannan Shahid scored twice, with Sufiyan Khan contributing the other goal.
India started aggressively and took the lead in the fifth minute when Harmanpreet converted a penalty corner with a powerful drag-flick. Abhishek doubled the advantage in the 11th minute after his effort took a deflection off the Pakistan defence.
Harmanpreet struck again in the 21st minute to make it 3-0. Pakistan responded through Hannan Shahid, but Abhishek quickly restored India’s three-goal cushion with a fine finish from a tight angle.
Sufiyan Khan reduced the deficit to 4-2 from a penalty corner, but India continued to attack. Hardik converted a penalty stroke in the 35th minute to make it 5-2.
Pakistan pulled another goal back through Hannan Shahid in the 46th minute, but India’s defence held firm during the closing stages. India successfully managed Pakistan’s late pressure to secure a crucial 5-3 victory and remain in contention for a semi-final berth.
