India lose 2-4 to England. (Pic credit: Hockey India)NEW DELHI: India’s long wait for a World Cup victory over England continued on Monday as the higher-ranked European side produced a dominant second-half display to beat Harmanpreet Singh’s side 4-2 in their second Pool D match of the men’s Hockey World Cup.India had fought back brilliantly after falling behind in the opening quarter, with Harmanpreet and Dilpreet Singh scoring in the second quarter to put India 2-1 ahead at half-time. But England turned the contest around after the break, scoring three times to leave India staring at a crucial final pool match against Pakistan.As it happened: India vs England, FIH World CupNicholas Bandurak opened the scoring in the 14th minute after England caught India on the counter-attack. Hooper launched a long aerial forward, Rushmere controlled it superbly and found Bandurak, who hammered the ball past Mohith.India responded strongly in the second quarter. Harmanpreet levelled from a penalty corner in the 17th minute with a trademark drag-flick that flew into the top corner. Dilpreet then completed the turnaround in the 25th minute, tapping home after Hardik and Abhishek combined brilliantly down the left.England turn the game around after half-timeIndia carried their 2-1 advantage into the long break, but England returned with far greater intensity. Their sustained pressure around the Indian circle eventually broke the Indian defence.Stuart Rushmere levelled in the 39th minute, producing a superb deflection after England worked the ball into the circle. India appeared increasingly content to defend their narrow lead, and England punished them for it.Just four minutes later, Henry Croft completed another slick attacking move to put England ahead. Rushmere again played a key role, starting the move down the right before Croft received the ball near the goalmouth and hammered it into the far bottom corner.England then effectively sealed the contest in the 55th minute when Bandurak scored his second of the evening from a penalty corner. The forward unleashed a powerful strike straight down the middle, giving India goalkeeper Suraj no chance.India could not produce another comeback as England comfortably managed the closing stages.India’s road to second round now goes through PakistanThe defeat leaves India with three points from two matches after their opening 3-1 victory over Wales. England, meanwhile, have won both their games and consolidated top spot in Pool D.India now face a high-stakes clash against Pakistan on Wednesday. They need at least a draw to qualify for the second round, while a defeat would end their World Cup campaign.The result also extended India’s long-standing World Cup drought against England. Their last victory over the English at the tournament came in 1994, when India won 1-0 in the fifth-sixth-place match in Sydney. England subsequently defeated India in the 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 editions, while their most recent meeting in 2023 ended in a goalless draw.Despite enjoying 51 per cent possession and registering 11 shots on goal to England’s 10, India once again found the finishing difference decisive. England simply made better use of their opportunities, particularly after half-time.For India, the equation is now straightforward. They must avoid defeat against Pakistan to keep their campaign alive, while England face Wales in their final Pool D fixture.