India produced a strong performance against Pakistan, securing a 5-3 victory in their final Pool D match of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 on Wednesday. The win helped India finish second in Pool D and keep their hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive.
India dominated large periods of the contest but had to withstand several Pakistan comebacks. Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek scored twice each, while Hardik Singh also found the net as India maintained their advantage throughout the match.
England finished at the top of Pool D after winning all three of their matches. Pakistan and Wales, meanwhile, will now move into the classification phase.
India Make Fast Start
India immediately put Pakistan under pressure, particularly through attacks down the left side.
The opening goal arrived in the fifth minute after India created sustained pressure inside the Pakistan circle. Abhishek’s reverse effort resulted in a penalty corner after the ball ricocheted dangerously.
Harmanpreet took responsibility for the resulting drag-flick. His first attempt struck the foot of a Pakistani rusher, giving India another opportunity. The Indian captain made no mistake with the retake, firing the ball past goalkeeper Ali Raza to give India a 1-0 lead.
India continued attacking and earned another penalty corner shortly afterwards, although Pakistan managed to keep out Harmanpreet’s effort.
Abhishek Helps India Double Their Lead
India’s pressure eventually produced a second goal in the 11th minute.
Harmanpreet played an aerial ball towards Abhishek, who entered the circle before attempting a clever pass. The ball took a deflection off Pakistan’s defence and wrong-footed the goalkeeper, ending up in the net to make it 2-0.
Pakistan struggled to contain India’s attacking movement, while India continued to create opportunities through quick passes and attacks from the flanks.
Harmanpreet Extends India’s Advantage
India carried their two-goal advantage into the second quarter and increased the lead in the 21st minute.
Shilanand Lakra earned another penalty corner after being impeded by a Pakistan defender. India initially attempted a variation, with Rajinder’s effort being saved.
However, the rebound fell back to Harmanpreet, who created space before firing the ball into the net to complete his second goal of the match.
India were now 3-0 ahead, seemingly in complete control of the contest.
Pakistan Launch Fightback
Pakistan responded almost immediately and finally found a way through India’s defence.
Vivek Sagar Prasad lost possession in midfield, allowing Pakistan to launch an attack. India’s goalkeeper made an initial save, but Hannan Shahid reacted quickly to the loose ball and scored in the 22nd minute.
India, however, restored their three-goal advantage only two minutes later.
Jugraj Singh delivered a powerful slap into the circle, where Abhishek controlled the ball brilliantly before continuing his run from the left and finishing from a difficult angle.
The goal made it 4-1 and gave India some breathing room again.
Pakistan refused to give up. They immediately earned a penalty corner, with Sufiyan Khan producing a well-placed flick to reduce the deficit to 4-2.
The second quarter therefore turned into a high-scoring battle, with both teams scoring twice.
Hardik Singh Restores Three-Goal Lead
India came out strongly after the interval and once again created opportunities around the Pakistan circle.
In the 35th minute, Aditya was pushed inside the circle, leading the umpire to award India a penalty stroke.
Hardik Singh stepped up and converted confidently to restore India’s three-goal advantage and make the score 5-2.
Pakistan continued searching for another comeback, but India’s defence managed to deal with most of their attacking moves.
India also had opportunities to increase their lead further. Sukhjeet came close after finding himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but he was unable to maintain control and the ball eventually went beyond the baseline.
Pakistan Score Again, But India Hold On
Pakistan continued to push forward during the final quarter and were rewarded in the 46th minute.
An error in India’s midfield allowed Hannan Shahid to take advantage of the opportunity and score his second goal of the match, bringing Pakistan within two goals at 5-3.
The late stages became increasingly tense as Pakistan committed more players forward in search of another goal.
Pakistan earned a penalty corner in the 58th minute and attempted a variation, but the move broke down after the intended attacker failed to anticipate the pass.
India successfully managed the final moments and prevented Pakistan from finding another breakthrough.
India Stay in Semi-Final Race
The 5-3 victory means India finish second in Pool D and remain in contention for a place in the Hockey World Cup semi-finals.
England’s perfect record secured them the top position in the group, while India’s strong goal-scoring performance against Pakistan ensured they moved forward from the pool stage with momentum.
Pakistan and Wales will now enter the classification phase as India’s campaign continues.
The victory also gives India confidence heading into the knockout stages, although the team will need to maintain its defensive discipline after conceding three goals against Pakistan.
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