India begins their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Spain.

India will play England next, who defeated Wales 5-0 earlier in the day in another Pool D encounter.
A dominant India produced a great display of aggressive hockey to defeat a tenacious Spain 2-0 in their FIH men’s World Cup campaign opener here on Friday. Local youngster Amit Rohidas was among the goal scorers, scoring from a penalty corner in the 12th minute to the raucous cheers of the crowded Birsa Munda Stadium, which made its debut as an international hockey site on Friday. Hardik Singh scored a wonderful field goal following a terrific solo run in the 26th minute as India, pursuing their first medal since 1975, increased their prospects of entering the quarterfinals from Pool D.
The scoreline did not represent India’s dominance, which could have been much greater had the world number six side not prevented their European opponents, ranked two rungs below them, from playing their game.
India earned five penalty corners and scored on the second of them. In the third quarter, captain Harmanpreet Singh also missed a penalty shot.
Krishan Bahadur Pathak, the team’s young goalkeeper, was outstanding in front of the net, making several excellent saves, especially from penalty corners. Spain was always a difficult opponent for India, but it was the Indians who dictated the terms to the Europeans, winning two and drawing one of the four Pro League matches last year.
The Indians were swift on the offensive and counter-attack, winning several balls from their opponents. Apart from three penalty corners, Spain had a few of chances that they squandered. Spain controlled the midfield fight in the first few minutes but failed to score.
India settled down beautifully after assessing their opponents and began pressuring at the conclusion of the first quarter. The majority of the attacks began on the right side, with Nilakanta Sharma, Mandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, and Abhishek at the helm.
India’s relentless pressure paid off as they earned three penalty corners in a row and seized the lead in the 12th minute of the second one via Rohidas.
Harmanpreet’s drag-flick deflected off a Spanish defender’s stick, and the ball dropped to Rohidas, whose powerful hit beat the Spanish goalie on both ends.
Spain quickly earned their first penalty corner but squandered it.
The third quarter saw no goals but plenty of suspense, with captain Harmanpreet wasting a penalty stroke in the 32nd minute. Following a video referral by India, his effort was ruled to have been saved by the Spanish goalkeeper.