IND vs ENG Hockey World Cup 2026 Highlights: England end India’s fightback with 4-2 win as 32-year jinx continues

India 2-4 England. After a strong first half in which they fought back from a goal down, India fall to a clear defeat. The 32-year wait to beat England at this stage continues as Craig Fulton and his side now turn their focus to the crucial clash against Pakistan.

Fourteen minutes into the fourth quarter, still 2-4. India look to create something inside the England circle but the English keep pressing for another goal. Time is not on India’s side.

Ten minutes into the fourth quarter and England lead 2-4. Nicholas Bandurak converts the penalty corner with a powerful drag-flick that leaves the Indian goalkeeper with no chance.

Ten minutes into the fourth quarter, still 2-3. The ball strikes Sumit’s leg and England are awarded another penalty corner. India have no referrals left.

Still 2-3 with eight minutes gone in the fourth quarter. England take a referral on the penalty corner. The video umpire confirms a foul by the Indian player but rules that the ball did not leave the circle, so it remains a penalty corner and not a stroke.

Eight minutes into the fourth quarter, still 2-3. Nilakanta Sharma is shown a yellow card and must sit out for five minutes. India will play with 10 men, and England are also awarded a penalty corner.

Six minutes into the fourth quarter, still 2-3. India ask for a penalty corner, claiming a push on Mandeep, but the on-field umpire sees nothing. The review is underway.

Five minutes into the fourth quarter, still 2-3. Abhishek controls the ball well on the left side of the circle, shimmies past his marker and unleashes a powerful slap shot that fizzes just wide of the far post.

The fourth quarter is underway. India start on the front foot, they have to. India have not beaten England at this stage for the past 32 years.

End of the third quarter. India 2-3 England. England dominate the period with two goals to retake the lead, leaving India needing to chase the game in the final 15 minutes.

Thirteen minutes into the third quarter and England go ahead 2-3. Henry Croft finishes with a superb back-lift shot for his first-ever World Cup goal. A special moment for the English forward.

Ten minutes into the third quarter, still 2-2. Wallace is shown a green card and must sit out for two minutes. England are temporarily down to 10 men.

Nine minutes into the third quarter and it’s 2-2. Stuart Rushmere produces a delightful flick to guide the ball into the net and bring England back level.

Five minutes into the third quarter, still 2-1 to India. England earn a penalty corner but the injection and trap fail to connect cleanly as the ball bounces. It looks like Park is on trap duty. Another chance goes begging for the English.

The third quarter begins. Mohith and Payne, the goalkeepers who started the match for India and England, return between the posts.

India coach Craig Fulton speaks at the break: “It was a good first half, good goal from them. But I’m glad we got some nice set-piece play and a goal from field play. We got to do it all over again in the second half.”

India hold a slight edge in possession at the break and are clearly ahead in circle penetrations. The Harmanpreet Singh-led side has entered the England D 11 times in the first half, compared to England’s seven.

End of the second quarter: India 2-1 England. Dramatic scenes in the final moments as Nicholas Park fires a long ball towards the circle. A deflection falls kindly for Roper, but he cannot direct it on target before the hooter sounds for half-time.

23 minutes in, still 2-1 to India. Waller catches Manpreet on the body just before the ball enters the goal, but the umpire has already blown for danger and the goal is disallowed. Manpreet looks injured.

Ten minutes into the second quarter and India lead 2-1. The move starts from a free-hit as Hardik Singh and Abhishek exchange a quick one-two down the left flank. Abhishek then slides a pass across the face of goal and Dilpreet Singh taps it in from close range at the far post.