India's great victory
New Delhi. India defeated Pakistan 5-3 in the FIH Hockey World Cup in the group stage and were eliminated from the tournament. The match took place on Wednesday at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands. The Indian team displayed an aggressive game and did not give any chance to Pakistan to make a comeback. Captain Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek scored two goals each, while Hardik Singh scored one goal. For Pakistan, Hannan Shahid scored two goals, while Sufyan Khan scored one goal.
Indian team's aggressive start
The Indian team made a strong start while playing against Pakistan in the World Cup after 16 years. In the first five minutes of the match, Indian players attacked the opposing goalpost and scored a goal. India got two penalty corners against Pakistan, one of which was converted by captain Harmanpreet Singh. Just as Pakistan were planning to equalise, Abhishek scored another goal to make the score 2-0. Even in the second quarter, the Indian team maintained pressure in Pakistan's half and Harmanpreet scored her second goal to make the score 3-0.
Pakistan's counterattack
India gets the 3 points!
What an exciting game against Pakistan!
#HWC2026 pic.twitter.com/4SwC2x2I63
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) August 19, 2026
After conceding three goals from India, Pakistan counterattacked and in the next minute Hannan Shahid scored. Two minutes after the first goal, Abhishek scored another goal and made the score 4-1. In the 25th minute, Pakistan got a penalty corner, which Sufyan Khan converted into a goal and gave hope of a comeback. Till half time the score was 4-2 in favor of India.
Hardik's contribution in India's progress
Pakistan had hopes of getting back into the match by now, but India scored another goal early in the third quarter. The referee gave a penalty stroke to India when Aditya Arjun Lalge fell inside the circle, which Hardik Singh converted into a goal. In this way, India won 5-2 and made it to the second round, while Pakistan was eliminated from the tournament. England and the top two teams of Pool A along with India will qualify for the semi-finals.