New Delhi, Aug 17: India’s long wait for a World Cup victory over England continued on Monday as the European side produced a dominant second-half performance to beat Harmanpreet Singh’s team 4-2 in their second Pool D match of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026.
The defeat leaves India with three points from two matches, following their 3-1 victory over Wales in the opening game, and sets up a high-stakes clash against Pakistan on Wednesday.
India must avoid defeat against their neighbours to secure a place in the second round, while a loss would bring their World Cup campaign to an end.
England, meanwhile, have won both their Pool D matches and consolidated their position at the top of the group.
The result also extended India’s 32-year wait for a World Cup win over England. Their last victory against the English side at the tournament came in 1994, when India registered a 1-0 win in the fifth-sixth-place match in Sydney. England subsequently defeated India in the 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 editions, while their 2023 meeting ended in a goalless draw.
England started strongly and took the lead in the 14th minute through Nicholas Bandurak. A swift counter-attack caught India off guard, with Stuart Rushmere controlling a long aerial ball before finding Bandurak, who finished past goalkeeper Mohith.
India responded impressively in the second quarter. Harmanpreet Singh restored parity in the 17th minute with a trademark drag-flick from a penalty corner.
The comeback was completed in the 25th minute when Dilpreet Singh tapped home after Hardik Singh and Abhishek combined brilliantly down the left flank, giving India a 2-1 lead at half-time.
However, England returned from the break with renewed intensity and began putting sustained pressure on the Indian defence.
Rushmere levelled the contest in the 39th minute with a superb deflection after England worked the ball into the circle.
England then completed the turnaround four minutes later. Rushmere played a key role in the build-up before Henry Croft received the ball near the goalmouth and fired into the far bottom corner to put England 3-2 ahead.
Bandurak then scored his second of the evening in the 55th minute, converting a penalty corner with a powerful strike down the middle to effectively seal the contest.
India were unable to produce another comeback as England controlled the closing stages.
Despite enjoying 51 per cent possession and registering 11 shots to England’s 10, India were unable to match their opponents’ efficiency in front of goal.
“India’s long wait for a World Cup victory over England continued,” summed up the outcome, with England turning the contest around after the interval and punishing India for becoming increasingly defensive while protecting their narrow lead.
England simply made better use of their opportunities, particularly after half-time, leaving India with little room for error ahead of their decisive encounter with Pakistan.
For India, the equation is now straightforward: a draw against Pakistan will be enough to take them into the second round, while defeat will end their campaign.
England will face Wales in their final Pool D fixture.
