IND vs NED Highlights, Men's Hockey World Cup 2026: India fall 1-3 to Netherlands in must-win Pool E clash

The Netherlands have secured the victory and booked their place in the semi-finals. They proved too strong on the ball throughout and produced three excellent goals to earn a fully deserved 3-1 win.

Only a minute remains on the clock and a turnaround now looks highly unlikely for India. They trail 1-3.

India continue to press forward in search of a way back into the contest, though the final pass has lacked the required precision. The home supporters are fully behind the Netherlands, loudly backing every forward move. With just two minutes remaining, India trail 1-3.

The Dutch score their third of the match. Manpreet loses the ball under pressure and the pass goes to Van Dam, who produces a lovely finish. A deft chip raises the ball and beats the goalkeeper. Netherlands now lead 3-1.

This game has opened up and how! Harmanpreet goes out to get some treatment on his back. He is not looking good but India cannot afford to lose him now. With six minutes to go, India need a goal… or two. Netherlands still lead 2-1.

Rajinder gets the pass inside the D and does well to win a penalty corner for India. Harmanpreet steps up and his drag-flick finds a foot, resulting in another PC. This time Harmanpreet scores! What a hit – low and towards the goalkeeper’s right. Game on as India reduce the deficit to 1-2.

India take another review, believing the Dutch defender deliberately pushed the ball away on the baseline, but this time they are wrong. Only a long corner is awarded. Netherlands lead 2-0.

The Dutch double their lead. Just three passes from defence to the circle and Hoedemakers produces a deft touch after a pass from the right to make it 2-0. Netherlands are firmly in control now.

India are putting the pressure on at the top of the circle and the game has become physical. The Dutch are defending in numbers and doing it well. Netherlands still lead 1-0.

Another chance for India. This time Sanjay takes the drag-flick. It is on target but saved by the goalkeeper. Netherlands still lead 1-0.

Abhishek produces a superb trap and wins a penalty corner for India. With Harmanpreet not on the pitch, Rohidas takes the slap hit which takes a big deflection and goes out. The umpire awards a long corner but India take the review, believing it hit a foot. They are right again as the TV umpire awards another penalty corner. Netherlands lead 1-0.

The final 15 minutes of the match are underway. India will have to push more as they trail 0-1 against the Netherlands.

That’s the end of the third quarter with the Netherlands leading 1-0. Barely anything happened until Telgenkamp’s goal. It was a lovely whip from the forward, ensuring he generated enough power from close range to beat the goalkeeper. India had a chance from a penalty corner soon after but could not take it.

India 0-1 Netherlands.

India quickly win a penalty corner after conceding the goal. Things get heated as players exchange words following Shilanand’s clearance which comes after the whistle. Shilanand is shown a green card but India keep the PC. Harmanpreet goes with his drag-flick but it is blocked, and the rebound chance is wasted. Netherlands lead 1-0.

Pieters and Telgenkamp look to create something from the left but India do not give them time for the pass into the circle. Seconds later, the Dutch score. Reyenga gets the ball inside the D, it bounces up after a deflection, he goes for the shot and Telgenkamp gets the final touch to beat the Indian goalkeeper.

India 0-1 Netherlands.

It has been a similar quarter to the first two. Not many chances for either team. India are doing most of the defending and they are doing it right.

The Dutch enter the circle from the left and look for a penalty corner, but good defending by the Indians near the baseline results in only a long corner. Score remains 0-0.

Harmanpreet steps up for India’s first penalty corner of the match. The drag-flick is blocked and the umpire thinks it is a stick, but India take another review. It hits the foot of the rusher so India are right again and win one more PC. On the second chance, Harmanpreet misses the target.

India have taken a video referral after the ball hits a defender’s foot from an Abhishek pass. There is some confusion as the Indian players start walking away, but the umpire calls them back. The review is successful – it is a foot in the circle and India win their first penalty corner of the match. Good work by Abhishek.

The Dutch are keeping the ball and moving it from one end to another. Manpreet rushes in as they look for a circle entry from the right and wins a free hit for India.