Bhubaneswar: The large crowd at Kalinga Stadium was treated to another exciting contest in the FIH Pro League here on Sunday night. In the end, they went home happy as India beat Spain in a shootout.
Harmanpreet Singh scored from two penalty corners in the 11th and 31st minute to give India a comfortable lead just after half-time.
But Spain roared back with a goal each in the third and final quarter to make it 2-2.
In the penalty shootout, Indians kept their nerves to triumph 3-1 as Spaniards faltered.
India, who beat New Zealand trice and went down to Spain in their previous fixtures here, thus finished the first phase on top with 8 points — thanks to a better goal difference than Spain.
India will play their next set of matches after the World Cup, to be held in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela in January.