IND vs PAK hockey highlights, FIH Pro League: India beat Pakistan in 7-goal thriller in London

India hold their nerve for a 4-3 win. A seven-goal thriller in London.

India extend their winning streak to 10 years. In the last 18 meetings, India have not lost to Pakistan.

And it stays that way.

Pakistan took the early lead in the first quarter, through a penalty corner. But, India hit back in the second with two goals. India were leading 4-1 in the final quarter, coasting along. But, Pakistan scored two in the final quarter. They got their third with 10 seconds left on the clock.

Good show from Pakistan, but India are the deserved winners. They move to No. 7 in the points table. Pakistan are rooted to No. 9 - the last spot.

The two teams will meet again later this week in the second leg of this fixture.

GOAL! Pakistan score from the penalty corner. It's 3-4 with just a few seconds left on the clock.

Suraj Karkera saved the draf flick, but he was not able to clear the ball out of danger.

Pakistan pull one back and, at the right time.

Captain Abu Mahmood drag flicks one into the goal. Poor effort from Suraj Karkera. The ball rolls through the gap between his legs. He was not able to react in time. Not a powerful shot.

A gift for Pakistan.

It's 2-4 with six more minutes to go in the final quarter. Can Pakistan score one more and make this more entertaining?

GOAL! India find their fourth goal. Have Pakistan give up?

A penalty corner and a superb drag flick from Rajinder Singh. Perfect height to trouble Ali Raza, who looked uncomfortable as the ball whizzed past him.

Rajinder is pumped. India are 4-1 up in the final quarter, with eight minutes to go.

Ali Raza, the Pakistan goalkeeper, has been so good today. But, India are still leading 3-1. The Men in Blue have managed to grow into the game, and have been more proactive in attack.

10 more minutes to go. Can Pakistan find a way back? They need to pull one back in the next few minutes.

GOAL! India are making their opportunities count. Pakistan had better circle penetrations in the third quarter. But, one decisive attack and Sukhjeet Singh finds himself in the box, with his back to the goal. He receives a cross, turns around and unleashes a powerful strike towards goal.

Ali Raza did not have any chance. That was a screamer from Sukhjeet.

India now lead Pakistan 3-1 in the third quarter.

Pakistan began the second half with a spring in their step. A couple of threatening circle penetrations. Goalkeeper Suraj Karkera was called into action early. It was a tricky test for the Indian defence, but Karkera did well there.

Another blistering run down the left, but Pakistan fail to threaten the goalkeeper this time.

India made as many as 19 circle penetrations when compared to Pakistan's two. They created plenty of chances and were more clinical in the second quarter.

Nine penalty corners and India managed to convert one of them. Pakistan have kept Harmanpreet quiet.

keep in mind, Pakistan don't have their coach here. Their manager is handling the team today.

Abhishek and Nilakanta scored to put India in the lead at half-time.

Pakistan found the opening goal in the first quarter, converting their penalty corner. They began the second quarter with a quick attack, trying to put pressure on India.

But, India held calm and struck from open play. Abhishek scored the opening goal, slotting a cross from Dilpreet into the bottom corner.

Nilakanta made it 2-1 immediately after, with a powerful shot after Pakistan blocked Harmanrpreet's drag flick.

Pakistan's first rushes have been superb. They have kept India at bay from penalty corners (one goal from nine PCs), but they are starting to feel the pressure.

It's India 2-1 Pakistan at half-time in London.

What a turnaround this! India got a penalty corner and Pakistan's first rusher did a fine job. But, Nilakanta Sharma gets hold of the loose ball inside the D area and fires it to the bottom left corner. Mandeep was in the way of the shot, seemingly blocking Ali Raza's vision. But the ball sneaks through all of them and finds its way into the net.

It was the 19th goal for Nilakanta for the blue shirt. And he is delighted.

India are leading 2-1 in the second quarter.

Abhishek scores the equaliser for India.

A fine finish. A goal from open play for India.

Finally, Ali Raza's resistance breaks.

Dilpreet had a better opportunity a few seconds ago. He went one-on-one with Ali Raza and took a powerful shot, but Ali stuck his left foot out for a superb block.

But, Dilpreet gets hold of possession and puts a fine cross to Abhishek, who slots it to the left of Ali Raza, finding the bottom right corner. A powerful strike.

Pakistan appeal, but they don't get the goal reversed.

It's India 1-1 Pakistan in the second quarter.

Pakistan's defence has been solid today. India have had 7 penalty cornerns, but they haven't managed to score yet.

Shilanand Lakra won a penalty corner with some fine skills to the left of the post. But, India fail to convert it.

Shilanand gets another chance. A good cross from the right and he was in a great position to tap it in. But, Ali Raza dived and saved it. The Pakistan goalkkeeper has been in fine form today.

Raj Kumar Pal did wonderfully well to earn India a penalty corner early in the second quarter. But, the finishing is missing. Harmanpreet Singh's drag flick has been blocked.

It stays 0-0.

Well, India made as many as nine circle penetrations in the first quarter, but they did not find the back of the net.

On the other hand, Pakistan had only two. But, they converted from the penalty corner.

Pakistan have started the second quarter well. A quick attack to put some pressure on India.

Pakistan head into the first break with a 1-0 lead. Against the run of play, Pakistan's Ahmad Nadeem scored. Pakistan converted their penalty corner. India did get their's at the end of that quarter, but Harmanpreet Singh was not able to convert it.

India made quite a few circle penetrations, but they lacked the finishing touch.

It's Pakistan 1-0 India at the end of the first quarter.

Pakistan goalkeeper Ali Raza has been in fine form.

Ali Raza stands tall. The Pakistan goalkeeper has been good so far. He blocks a powerful drag flick from Harmanrpreet.

The penalty corner was re-awarded four times, but India fail to equalise.

Two rewards. Haramanpreet Singh has powerfully struck two of them. But, it has hit Pakistan defednders.

His second strike hit Abdul Mannan, who is in some pain.

Abdul is now walking off.

The Indian fans did applaud Abdul warmly. Loveluy to see that.

India are trying to attack from the right flank. Rajinder has been involved heavily. After a quick one-two on the right, the ball is pulled back to Nilakanta Sharma, who fails to unleash a powerful one. Ali Raza has this easy.

It remains 0-0 with a minute left in the first quarter.

India were looking to hit back immediately. A quick attack and Jarmanpreet delivered a cross from the right. Unfortunately, there was no one at the end of it. The ball goes out of play.

Pakistan breathe a sigh of relief.

They will be hoping to retain the lead at the end of this quarter.

GOAL! Pakistan have opened the scoring. It has come against the run of play.

Ahmad Nadeem is the goalscorer. The Pakistan dugout is thrilled.

It has come from a broken down penalty corner. A fine ball from the right, across the net. And Nadeem is at the right place. He slots it in.

Suraj Karkera had no chance.

India appealed against it, citing a foul on Sumit inside the area, but Pakistan retain the goal.

India have been allowed to retain the goal.

India were on the attack, but they were not able to find the finishing touch. Pakistan were happy to sit back and defend. But, in their first counter-attack, they get a penalty corner.

The Indian wall is getting ready.

India are looking for the early advantage here. They had close matches throughout the European leg. Can they dominate today?

Manpreet has a shot at goal from the left of the D area. Ali Raza, the Pakistan goalkeeper is alert to the threat. He saves it with authority.

It's 0-0 in the first quarter.

India are on the attack early on. Pakistan are playing with white and green. India in their traditional sky blue.

There will be three India vs Pakistan matches in quick succession. Two this week in London and one in the World Cup in August.

A good gesture on the sporting field. The two teams did not avoid the customary pre-match routine of shaking hands.

A crucial bottom-of-the-table clash in London today. India have done well in the European leg after a poor home leg.

Can they beat their arch-rivals today?

There is a healthy crowd for the big India vs Pakistan clash. Plenty of Indian support at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Center in London.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh is out there for the toss.

The referees are making their way out.

Pakistan will be without captain Ammad Shakeel Butt, who is not available due to visa issues.

Pakistan XI: Muhammad Abdullah, Moin Shakeel, Waheed Ashraf Rana, Zikriya Hayat, Arshad Liaqat, Ahmad Nadeem, Ghazanfar Ali, Muhammad Hammadudin, Abu Mahmood (c), Ali Raza (gk), Abdul Manan.

According to reports, Shakeel, a key figure in Pakistan's defence, was denied a visa because he had previously overstayed in England while playing club hockey.

Starting XI: Suraj Karkera (goalkeeper), Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Jarmanpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Amit Rohidas, Sukhjeet Singh, Sanjay, Abhishek, Rajinder Singh

Subs: Sumit, Raj Kumar Pal, Jugraj Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Mohith HS (GK), Shilanand LakraSu

The Indians won two matches out of four in Rotterdam. They beat hosts and world no.2 the Netherlands 3-2 on Sunday in the concluding match of the Rotterdam leg. India's other victory (3-1) came against reigning world champions and world no.5 Germany.

In the other two matches, India lost 2-3 against the Netherlands and 1-2 against Germany, all close results.

The Dutch leg turned out to be a valuable experience for the Indians, who are using this tournament to fine tune their grey areas ahead of this year's two big ticket events – the FIH World Cup and the Asian Games, which is also an Olympic qualifier.

India are currently ranked 8th in the 9-team FIH Pro League with two wins from 12 matches.

Pakistan, on the other hand, are at the bottom of the points table, having lost all their 12 matches.

India are heading into the match on the back of a win over Olympic champions Netherlands on Sunday in the Rotterdam leg.

India will play four matches in London leg - two against Pakistan and two against England.

Yes, India and Pakistan have a tight head-to-head record in men's hockey. with Pakistan winning 82 when compared to India's 67. However, in the last 10 years, India have been utterly dominant.

The head-to-head record between the two sides over the last 10 years is hugely in favour of India, who remain undefeated across 17 matches, with 15 wins and two draws.

It's a meeting between two teams that share 11 Olympic medals. It's India against Pakistan in London in the FIH Pro League – their first-ever meeting in the competition.

It's also the first meeting between these two teams since the Asian Champions Trophy clash in Hulunbuir, China, in 2024. India won that meeting 2-1, thanks to captain Harmanpreet Singh's brace.