India defeats Pakistan 5-3 to advance in Hockey World Cup

India defeated Pakistan 5-3 in a high-stakes Pool D match at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 in Amstelveen, Netherlands. The victory secured India's advancement to the second round, while Pakistan was officially eliminated from the tournament.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh and forward Abhishek each scored two goals to lead the Indian attack. Hardik Singh added a fifth goal via a penalty stroke. Pakistan's efforts were led by Hannan Shahid, who scored twice, and Sufyan Khan, who converted a penalty corner.

Despite the win, Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh urged caution, noting the need to address defensive vulnerabilities and possession retention. India finished second in Pool D, while England topped the group. The match, held at the Wagener Hockey Stadium before a sell-out crowd of 10,000, marked the first World Cup meeting between the two rivals in 16 years.