FIH Men's Hockey World Cup LIVE: India vs Pakistan - Score, blog, updates
Follow live updates as India take on Pakistan in a crucial Pool D clash in Amstelveen, with a draw enough for India to reach the second round.
FIH Men's Hockey World Cup LIVE: India vs Pakistan - Score, blog, updates
India and Pakistan renew their historic rivalry in a high-stakes Pool D encounter at the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2026 in Amstelveen on Wednesday.
The equation has become clearer for India after England defeated Wales 8-2 earlier in the day. With Wales eliminated from contention for the next round, India need just a draw against Pakistan to secure their place in the second stage.
Pakistan, however, have no such margin for error. The arch-rivals must win to keep their campaign alive and progress from Pool D.
India enter the contest with three points from two matches. They opened with a 3-1 win over Wales before suffering a 2-4 defeat against England despite taking a 2-1 lead into half-time.
Pakistan have collected one point from their opening two games and will need to produce a result against India in what promises to be a fiercely contested encounter.
India also carry a strong recent record against Pakistan, having remained unbeaten against their arch-rivals across competitions over the past decade.
The clash at the Wagener Hockey Stadium therefore carries enormous stakes, with India's place in the second round and Pakistan's World Cup hopes both on the line.
LIVE Updates:
The hooter sounds and that's the end of the first quarter. That was easily India's 15 minutes. They dominated right from the start, pressing forward with ease.
The Pakistan midfield was guilty of giving away way too many turnovers, which meant that they never really created any threatening chances of their own. Suraj Karkera, the Indian goalie, was called to action just once.
India made the most of it, scoring twice. But they would feel, they should have scored more, having missed a couple of penalty corners.
IND 2-0 PAK
Harmanpreet Singh messes up the drag this time around as the ball rolls away. An easy clearance for Pakistan.
But India feel it hit the defender's foot. Manpreet Singh is asking for a review, but the umpire shuts him down.
"You can't review that," the umpire instructs.
IND 2-0 PAK
The on screen graphic credits the second Indian goal to Abhishek. Does it mean it wasn't Mandeep with the last touch, but a Pakistan defender?
Debate for another day, I guess. For now, India have won yet another penalty corner.
India have doubled their lead. An aerial ball into the circle from skipper Harmanpreet.
Abhishek receives it cleanly inside the circle. He is being surrounded, but turns inside out to pass the ball behind him.
Mandeep Singh is in a perfect position to deflect it in. He makes no mistake. India are in cruise control!
IND 2-0 PAK
A good aerial pass from the midfield by Pakistan opens up the Indian defence completely, who are pressing high up the field.
Suraj Karkera has to come down from his post to deflect it away and avert danger.
IND 1-0 PAK
India continues to press forward. A nice three-man weave between Vivek Sagar Prasad, Shilanand Lakra, and Aditya Lalage this time around as India penetrate the circle yet again.
Lalage looks to do it all by himself at the end and is surrounded.
This is good stuff from India. Pakistan have barely had any control in the opening exchanges.
IND 1-0 PAK
Some chaos inside the circle and Sukhjeet pushes the ball onto a defender's feet to earn a PC.
Harmanpreet Singh steps up for the drag flick, it is deflected away cleanly by the Pakistan goalkeeper.
IND 1-0 PAK
Abhishek with the injection and Harmanpreet with the drag flick. The first attempt is hit flush on the rusher, handing India a second attempt.
It is the same combo again and this time Harmanpreet Singh pierces through the Pakistani defence. He beats the goalkeeper low to his left.
Hamanpreet Singh is burying the ghosts of the 2023 World Cup. He has his fourth goal of the tournament! India have taken the lead.
IND 1-0 PAK
A rocket-like reverse hit on target from Abhishek. The Pakistan goalkeeper saves, but the ball rises dangerously high in the circle.
It is the first penalty corner of the match for India!
An excellent steal from Abhishek in the midfield and he is off on a run. This could be dangerous, but the Pakistan defence has it covered.
IND 0-0 PAK
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