Amstelveen, Aug. 19 -- India defeated Pakistan 5-3 in a high-scoring Pool D clash at the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2026 on Wednesday to advance to the second round, eliminating the arch-rivals from the tournament.

Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek scored twice each, while Hardik Singh also found the net as India produced an attacking display to secure a crucial victory. Pakistan's Hannan Shahid scored twice and Sufyan Khan added one, but their efforts were not enough to prevent their elimination from the tournament, according to ESPN.

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.

Abhishek d...