India 1-2 Belgium, Paris Olympic Games 2024 Highlights: Dohmen Guides BEL To Come-From-Behind Win

The India vs Belgium hockey match will begin at 1:30pm IST. The Pool B match could be one of the biggest challenges that Harmanpreet & Co face at the Paris Olympics. (Streaming | Full Olympics Coverage)

All three Indian racewalkers have crashed out of medal reckoning in the men's 20km final. Akashdeep does not finish the race, while Vikash and Paramjeet finish on 29th and 36th positions. Brian Daniel of Ecuador claims the gold medal, Caio Bonfin of Brazil takes silver, and Spain's Alvaro Martin secures the bronze. Head over to our live blog here for overall updates on the Indian action in Paris, as also medal alerts from all other disciplines.

Belgium are currently on top of the international standings, while India are placed fifth as per the latest FIH rankings. That itself explains the task at hand for Craig Fulton's wards, as also their recent record in the FIH Pro League.

Of the last five clashes between the two sides, Belgium have won three, while India have won one and another game ended in a draw. At the Olympics, the two teams have faced off seven times, winning three apiece and with one draw.

The pushback happens, and the match begins. No big early chances yet. It remains to be seen how India approach this, considering their late rescues in the previous games. Captain Harmanpreet said that they will look to take early chances. Can they make a first-quarter inroad to unsettle Belgium?

Belgium earn the first penalty corner of the match in the eighth minute, as a clearance from Sreejesh lands on Sumit's foot. The penalty corner is re-awarded owing to an Indian obstruction, and Sreejesh holds firm to thwart the second attempt, which is directed in the centre. No harm done.

The game opening up a bit more now, attack-wise. Abhishek takes a shot at the Belgium goal, but goalie Vincent Vanasch is equal to the task. 

The quarter ends with Belgium on the charge and starting a long corner, but having to stop mid-move as the hooter rings out. Goalless after the first 15 minutes, India yet to create any threatening chances.

Abhishek with a brilliant field goal. He pounces on a defensive error from de Sloover, catches hold of the ball at the edge of the circle and lets rip a low strike to beat Vanasch and put India ahead.

Belgium earn a penalty corner by smartly directing the ball towards Harmanpreet's foot. Sreejesh to the rescue again, however, as India keep their lead intact.

India garner their first penalty corner and with Harmanpreet not on the field, Amit Rohidas steps up for the drag flick. He sends the ball into the net but the goal is ruled out for dangerous play. India now getting attacking waves underway with the kind of regularity they have been yearning to.

The second quarter ends with India still in the lead. This is the kind of performance that was conspicuous from its absence so far; the kind that makes Harmanpreet's side serious medal contenders. A rare field goal, Abhishek's maiden one at the Olympics, puts India ahead and Sreejesh's heroics in the goal-line ensure that the lead holds, halfway into the match. Can they hold on, or add more goals to peg Belgium back? We'll find out very soon.

Belgium equalize! It doesn't take long for the top-ranked team to strike back. Two minutes into the third quarter, De Sloover exhibits top-class stick work to make a circle penetration from the left. Van Aubel's ball across the goal meets Stockbroekx, who sends it in at the goal-mouth. We are on level terms.

Belgium surge into the lead. They earn a penalty corner, which is saved twice but re-awarded each time. On the third going, Sreejesh pulls out yet another superb save to keep the ball out but it trickles to the left of the goalmouth, where Dohmen stands in wait. He somehow finds space in the cramped area to push it into the net, and Belgium are now ahead.

The final quarter begins, and India suddenly find themselves in a spot of bother. They again are in need of a late goal to equalize. All eyes on captain and drag-flick messiah Harmanpreet Singh.

Nervous moments for the Indian defence as Belgium earn another penalty corner, and a subsequent re-award. Sreejesh just about manages to squirt it out of danger.

A rough tackle from Raj Kumar Pal on van Aubel earns him a yellow card. That keeps him out of action for five full minutes, and further imperils India to another Belgian strike. In such a scenario, going for the equaliser becomes a daunting task.

The pace of play has slowed down now, expectedly from Belgium's end as they endeavour to protect their lead. India unable to get the ball out of their half as of now, with under two minutes on the clock.

Mandeep earns India a penalty corner with 103 seconds left on the clock. Harmanpreet stands in wait. He drills his flick goal-ward, and it takes an unbelievably good stick save from Van Aubel at the goal-line to thwart the Indian skipper. "Match-winning save", the commentator on air exclaims.

Sreejesh comes off, as India go all out in search of an equaliser.

Belgium win! The clock runs out, and India do not get a shot at goal in the dying seconds. The Belgian defence proves to be the difference at the end, and van Aubel's astounding stick save at the far goalpost is what keeps Harmanpreet from equalizing. Belgium hand India their first loss at the Paris Olympics.

Not much time for the Indian team to wallow in today's narrow defeat, as they take on Australia tomorrow for their final Pool B match. Though Harmanpreet's men are already through to the quarter-finals and the Kookaburras are expected to seal their passage very soon (they lead New Zealand 3-0 in an ongoing Pool B clash), the result of the India vs Australia encounter will help decide the last-eight fixtures. Today's performance against defending champions Belgium would have encouraged coach Fulton, and India have a lot of positive takeaways, going into the business end of the competition.

Our coverage of this match ends, but live updates continue from other Paris Olympics events. Stay with us.