Hockey World Cup: India bulldoze Pakistan 5-3 in must-win clash to storm into next round

India got the better of arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3 in their high-stakes Pool D clash at the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup. Doubles from skipper Harmanpreet Singh and forward Abhishek set the tone and then Hardik Singh sealed the deal for India.

India crush Pakistan 5-3 to advance to next round

Despite the heavy pressure, Pakistan mounted a spirited fightback to keep the scoreboard respectable. Hannan Shahid led the effort for the opposition with a brace, striking in the 22nd and 46th minutes, while Sufyan Khan added a quick response in the 24th, though it was ultimately not enough to bridge the gap against a dominant Indian attack.

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The high-scoring victory guaranteed India's advancement to the tournament's next phase, securing them second place in Pool D behind top-ranked England. India established early dominance in the opening quarter with strikes from skipper Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek, before Harmanpreet added a third early in the second period. Although Hannan Shahid temporarily halted India's momentum with Pakistan's opening goal, Abhishek responded almost immediately to restore a three-goal buffer at 4-1.

Troika of Harmanpreet, Abhishek, Hardik Singh scorches bright for India

A chaotic, four-goal second quarter saw Pakistan slice the margin back to 4-2 through a strike from Sufyan Khan, leaving the teams evenly matched during a breathless 15-minute stretch. India re-established complete control after the break when vice-captain Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke in the third quarter to extend the advantage to 5-2. Shahid managed to narrow the gap once more in the final frame by sealing his second goal of the match, but India comfortably held on for the 5-3 finish.

India’s path through the group stage included a solid 3-1 opening victory over Wales, followed by a tough 4-2 setback against third-ranked England after conceding a late second-half surge. Pakistan, on the other hand, endured a difficult pool campaign—following up a 4-1 defeat to England with a 3-3 draw against Wales—leaving them in urgent need of tactical adjustments to turn their tournament around.

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India’s dominance over their traditional rivals has grown increasingly pronounced in recent years, highlighted by lopsided 7-1 and 4-3 victories during the European swing of the Pro League. Pakistan has not bested India on the turf since the 2016 Champions Trophy, a drought that mirrors a broader divergence in international success. While the Indian side arrives backed by consecutive Olympic podium finishes, the four-time World Cup winners are making their first tournament appearance in eight years after missing both the 2014 and 2023 editions.

Despite India entering as heavy favorites, the storied rivalry frequently defies current form and rankings once play begins. Compounding Pakistan's challenge is a lack of tournament pedigree across their roster, where skipper Mahmood and Ammad Butt stand as the only players with prior World Cup experience. The team's campaign was further derailed early on by logistical blunders—including leaving their penalty-corner protective gear behind during a opening-match loss to England—and costly wastefulness in a frustrating draw against Wales.

This encounter marks the first World Cup clash between the Asian neighbors since 2010 in Delhi, where a Rajpal Singh-led Indian squad secured a convincing 4-1 victory.