ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s woes in the FIH Pro League 2026 deepened as the Green Shirts slumped to a fourth consecutive defeat, going down 4-2 against Spain in their final match of the third leg at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Belgium on Saturday.
The latest setback capped a miserable European campaign for Pakistan, who lost both matches against Spain and Belgium, conceding a staggering 22 goals while managing to score only four in return.
Despite the defeat, Pakistan showed flashes of promise and were the first to strike. Abu Bakhar put the Green Shirts ahead in the 28th minute with a well-executed penalty-corner conversion. The lead, however, lasted only a minute as Spain’s Cunill Pep responded immediately to level the score at 1-1 before halftime.
Spain returned after the break with greater purpose and intensity. Alonso Alejandro converted a penalty corner in the 34th minute to hand his side a 2-1 advantage. Pakistan struggled to maintain defensive discipline and paid the price when Nicolas Alvarez capitalised on a wide-open defence to score Spain’s third goal in the 43rd minute.
Abu Bakhar once again reignited Pakistan’s hopes just a minute later, hammering home a powerful strike into the top corner to reduce the deficit to 3-2.
However, Spain extinguished any hopes of a comeback when Nicolas struck again in the 51st minute, finishing off an indirect penalty-corner move to restore the two-goal cushion and seal a convincing victory.
The defeat leaves Pakistan searching for answers ahead of the decisive fourth and final leg of the Pro League, where even tougher challenges await.
Pakistan will now travel to England for crucial encounters against arch-rivals India and hosts England.
The highly anticipated Pakistan-India clash is scheduled for June 23 in London, followed by a match against England on June 24. Pakistan will then face the same opponents in return fixtures on June 26 and June 27.
With four successive defeats and confidence at a low ebb, the Green Shirts face a stern test as they attempt to revive their campaign against two of the world’s strongest hockey nations.
