India vs Belgium, Hockey World Cup 2026: Belgium win after dramatic shootout, India’s brave fight ends in heartbreak | IND 3-3 BEL

India vs Belgium, Hockey World Cup 2026:India’s World Cup campaign ended in eighth place after Belgium edged them in a dramatic penalty shootout following a 3-3 draw in regulation time. India made a strong start through Abhishek’s early field goal, but Belgium fought back with two quick strikes from Roman Duvekot and Hugo Labouchere to take a 2-1 lead into half-time.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh restored parity with a penalty-corner drag-flick in the third quarter before Belgium regained the lead through Nicolas de Kerpel. With the clock running down, India pulled their goalkeeper and threw everything forward, with Harmanpreet scoring his second of the night in the 60th minute to make it 3-3 and force a shootout.

The shootout was equally dramatic. Belgium goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch denied Harmanpreet and Sukhjeet Singh early on, but India fought back through Shilanand Lakra, Dilpreet Singh and Abhishek to stay alive. Belgium eventually held their nerve, with Duvekot scoring the decisive attempt after India’s referral failed.

The defeat brought an end to India’s campaign in eighth position, while Belgium walked away with a hard-fought victory after surviving India’s late comeback.