Amstelveen: India’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 ended after a 5-3 defeat to Argentina in their concluding Pool E match at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen on Monday.
Argentina made a flying start, racing to a 2-0 lead inside six minutes through Joaquin Toscani and Nicolas della Torre. Sukhjeet Singh pulled one back for India in the 10th minute, but Tomas Domene struck twice in the third quarter before Lucas Toscani made it 5-1.
India fought back late, with Sukhjeet scoring his second goal in the 58th minute before Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke a minute later. The late surge, however, was not enough to keep India’s semi-final hopes alive.
Argentina moved to six points and will await the result of the Netherlands-England match to know which two teams progress to the semi-finals from Pool E. India finished last in the pool and will now play for seventh-eighth place.
Argentina punish India’s slow start
Argentina needed less than a minute to take the lead. Joaquin Toscani found space at a tight angle after the ball was played across the face of goal from the right and slapped it into the net.
India came under sustained pressure as Argentina attacked with pace and repeatedly found space against the Indian midfield and defence.
Argentina earned a penalty corner in the third minute after Jarmanpreet Singh was adjudged to have intentionally used his stick to send the ball over the baseline. Mohith produced a fine save, but India’s relief did not last long.
Another defensive error, this time involving Yashdeep Siwach, handed Argentina a penalty corner in the sixth minute. Nicolas della Torre converted, beating Mohith to his right to make it 2-0.
India gradually worked their way back into the contest. Abhishek helped build an attack in the 10th minute before the ball reached Sukhjeet, whose firm push found the net and reduced the deficit.
Argentina nearly restored their two-goal cushion before the end of the first quarter after Amit Rohidas failed to control an aerial ball inside India’s 23-metre area, but the hooter arrived before they could capitalise.
India struggle to convert possession
The second quarter remained goalless, although India enjoyed spells of possession without creating enough clear chances.
Argentina frequently used aerial balls to bypass India’s midfield and reach their forwards deep inside the attacking quarter.
India tried to build attacks through Aditya Arjun Lalage, Dilpreet Singh, Sanjay and Hardik Singh, but unforced errors at important moments prevented them from turning those moves into goals.
Domene double puts Argentina in control
The third quarter proved decisive.
Mohith saved another Argentina penalty corner early in the period, while Argentina’s appeal for a re-award was rejected after a video referral.
India were punished soon afterwards when Sanjay lost possession while attempting to dribble through several Argentine midfielders. Argentina broke quickly and Tomas Domene finished the move to make it 3-1.
India then earned a series of penalty corners but could not take advantage. Harmanpreet Singh’s dragflicks were repeatedly blocked by Argentina’s rushers or failed to find the target.
Another penalty corner, earned through a move involving Yashdeep, Hardik and Jarmanpreet, also went unrewarded. India subsequently lost their referral.
Argentina stretched their lead in the 45th minute. Mohith made two successive saves, but Yashdeep was struck by the ball in front of goal during another Argentine attempt, resulting in a penalty stroke.
Domene converted from the spot for his second goal of the match and put Argentina 4-1 ahead.
Late India fightback comes too late
India pushed numbers forward in the final quarter, but Argentina struck again in the 53rd minute.
Lucas Toscani was given time and space to unleash a tomahawk that beat Suraj Karkera and extended Argentina’s advantage to 5-1.
Sukhjeet gave India some late hope in the 58th minute with a deft first-touch deflection from Mandeep Singh’s cross, scoring his second goal of the match.
A minute later, Sukhjeet was brought down inside the circle and Hardik converted the resulting penalty stroke to make it 5-3.
India had one final opportunity after Harmanpreet earned a penalty corner just before the final hooter. Argentina goalkeeper Tomas Santiago, however, made the save to confirm India’s exit from the FIH Hockey World Cup semi-final race.