India 5-3 Pakistan: Harmanpreet and Abhishek inspire World Cup win

India secured a crucial 5-3 victory over Pakistan in a thrilling Pool D clash at the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2026, advancing to the second round and eliminating their arch-rivals from the competition. Captain Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek were instrumental, each scoring twice, while Hardik Singh added another goal to seal the win.

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India made a flying start and took the lead in the fifth minute through captain Harmanpreet, who converted the game's first penalty corner with a powerful drag-flick into the bottom-right corner.

India started strong, with Harmanpreet converting a penalty corner in the fifth minute. Abhishek doubled the lead with a brilliant solo run, and Harmanpreet struck again in the 21st minute, making it 3-0. Pakistan fought back, with Hannan Shahid scoring a superb field goal shortly after, and Sufyan Khan adding another before halftime, bringing the score to 4-2.

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Abhishek doubled the advantage six minutes later after producing a brilliant individual run down the left before weaving his way around the Pakistani defence and finishing the move.

In the second half, Hardik Singh restored India's three-goal advantage from a penalty stroke in the 34th minute. Although Hannan Shahid scored his second goal in the 46th minute to make it 5-3, India's defense held firm through a dramatic final period. This win marks a significant moment, as India had not met Pakistan in the World Cup since the 2010 edition, having previously defeated them in 1973, 1975, and 2010.

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Harmanpreet struck again in the 21st minute. After initially attempting a variation from a penalty corner, the ball returned to him and he fired a powerful effort into the net to make it 3-0.