England regathered themselves brilliantly after a horrific injury to Richard Mantell to beat Pakistan 5-2 in their third group match at the Hockey World Cup.
Mantell suffered a suspected broken ankle while England defended a corner in the 12th minute of the second half. He was carried off on a stretcher and immediately taken to hospital.
As the right post man, Mantell stepped up as Pakistan played a variation corner. He turned slightly as he saw Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan going low at full stretch to attempt a deflection. A collision was inevitable. From the stand, it looked like a genuine accident.
Pakistan levelled the match at 2-2 from that corner. Rehan Butt scored, taking advantage of the gap left in England's corner defence as Mantell lay in agony on the pitch.
Hockey doesn't get many severe injuries but it was the second he has suffered in the last few years and England's core defender and corner expert is out of the World Cup. He is the third England player injured in the last two weeks, following the return home of his brother, Simon, and Matt Daly.
The goal and injury gave the iniative to Pakistan, as most of England's young players had never seen anything like such an injury and were visibly shaken.
It said much for the spirit in the team that they soon buckled down to get a result.
To win 5-2 in the end was remarkable. Jonty Clarke and Barry Middleton each scored twice and Jackson kept up his goal a game record.
It was England's biggest-ever win over Pakistan in 32 matches and ensured they maintained their three-point advantage in their group as they chase being one of the pool's two semi finalists.
Australia and Spain are still very much in the chase. Australia, the favourites, defeated South Africa 12-0, a record World Cup winning margin. Spain were 5-2 winners over England's next opponents, India.
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