India’s Hockey World Cup Semi-Final Hopes End After 3-5 Loss To Argentina

Amstelveen: India’s campaign for a place in the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 semi-finals came to an end after a 3-5 defeat against Argentina in their final Pool E match at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen on Monday.

Argentina made a blistering start, scoring twice inside the opening six minutes through Joaquin Toscani and Nicolas della Torre. India responded through Sukhjeet Singh in the 10th minute, but Argentina maintained control and eventually pulled away in the second half.

Tomas Domene scored twice, including once from a penalty stroke, while Lucas Toscani added another as Argentina established a commanding 5-1 lead. Sukhjeet struck again late in the match before Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke to narrow the margin.

The defeat left India at the bottom of Pool E and ended their hopes of advancing to the last four. India will now compete for seventh and eighth place in the tournament.

Argentina, meanwhile, moved to six points and will await the result of the Netherlands-England encounter to determine the two semi-finalists from Pool E.

Argentina opened the scoring before the first minute had elapsed. Joaquin Toscani found space at a tight angle after the ball was played across the face of goal and finished confidently past the Indian goalkeeper.

India came under immediate pressure as Argentina continued to exploit spaces in the Indian defence. The South Americans earned a penalty corner in the third minute, but Mohith HS produced an excellent save to keep India in the contest.

Argentina doubled their lead in the sixth minute after another defensive error gave them a penalty corner. Nicolas della Torre found the target with a powerful effort to make it 2-0.

India gradually settled and created their first major response in the 10th minute. Abhishek helped build the move before the ball reached Sukhjeet, who finished with a firm push to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

Argentina continued to threaten before the end of the opening quarter, but India survived further pressure to go into the second quarter trailing by a single goal.

The second quarter remained goalless, although Argentina enjoyed considerable possession and frequently used aerial passes to bypass the Indian midfield. India created opportunities through Aditya Arjun Lalage, Dilpreet Singh, Sanjay and Hardik Singh but struggled to convert their openings into clear chances.

The third quarter changed the complexion of the match. After Mohith made another penalty-corner save, Argentina capitalised on an Indian mistake in midfield. Sanjay was dispossessed while attempting to carry the ball forward, allowing Argentina to launch a quick counter-attack that Tomas Domene finished to make it 3-1.

India then struggled to make their penalty corners count. Harmanpreet Singh’s dragflicks were repeatedly blocked by the Argentine rushers, while another opportunity involving Yashdeep Siwach, Hardik and Jarmanpreet Singh also went unrewarded.

Argentina extended their advantage in the 45th minute. After Mohith made two saves, Yashdeep was hit by the ball in front of goal, resulting in a penalty stroke. Domene converted confidently to score his second goal and put Argentina 4-1 ahead.

The South Americans added another in the 53rd minute when Lucas Toscani was allowed time and space to unleash a powerful tomahawk that beat Suraj Karkera.

With Argentina leading 5-1, India mounted a late fightback. Sukhjeet scored his second goal in the 58th minute with a deft deflection from Mandeep Singh’s cross.

India were awarded a penalty stroke shortly afterwards after Sukhjeet was brought down inside the circle. Hardik Singh made no mistake from the spot to reduce the deficit to 5-3.

India earned one final penalty corner just before the final hooter, but Argentina goalkeeper Tomas Santiago held firm to deny Harmanpreet and seal the victory.

The result ended India’s hopes of a semi-final berth, with the team now set to play for seventh and eighth place at the World Cup.