India and Pakistan meet again at the Men’s Hockey World Cup on Wednesday, with their group-stage clash carrying the memory of a one-sided encounter less than two months ago.

The last time the arch-rivals met, India produced a statement performance, beating Pakistan 7-1 in the FIH Pro League in London on June 26. Pakistan actually made the brighter start, with captain Abu Bakar Mahmood putting his side ahead through a Penalty-Corner drag-flick in the 13th minute. But that lead lasted only until the second quarter.

Sukhjeet Singh levelled in the 20th minute with a deflection, before Harmanpreet Singh’s drag-flick put his side ahead six minutes later. From there, the contest slipped decisively away from Pakistan. Hardik Singh converted a Penalty Stroke early in the third quarter, Jugraj Singh finished off a swift counter-attack a minute later and Abhishek and Raj Kumar Pal further stretched India’s advantage. Dilpreet Singh completed the rout in the 54th minute.

The victory completed a double for India in the London leg, after it had edged Pakistan 4-3 in their first meeting three days earlier. The 7-1 win, however, was far more emphatic, with India finding seven different scorers and maintaining control after falling behind early.

Now, at the World Cup, Pakistan will have a chance to put that result behind it, while India will look to carry the confidence of its recent dominance into the group-stage meeting.

Published on Aug 18, 2026