New Delhi: India’s bid for a place in the semi-finals of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 came to an end after Argentina secured a 5-3 win in their final Pool E match at Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on Monday.
The defeat left India fourth in Pool E without a point and ended their hopes of making the last four, according to reports.
Argentina made the most of a fast start, scoring twice within the opening six minutes. Joaquin Toscani opened the scoring in the first minute before Nicolas della Torre converted a penalty corner to put Argentina 2-0 ahead.
India responded through Sukhjeet Singh in the 10th minute. Abhishek played a key role in the build-up before Sukhjeet finished the move with a firm push.
India could not build on the goal in the second quarter. Despite having possession, they struggled to create enough clear chances and went into the break 2-1 behind.
Argentina increased the pressure after half-time and restored their two-goal cushion through Tomas Domene in the 33rd minute. India then earned several penalty corners but failed to breach the Argentine defence.
Domene struck again from a penalty stroke in the 45th minute to make it 4-1. Lucas Toscani extended Argentina’s lead eight minutes into the final quarter with a powerful tomahawk.
India refused to give up and produced a late surge. Sukhjeet scored his second goal in the 58th minute after getting a decisive touch to Mandeep Singh’s cross.
India then won a penalty stroke, which Hardik Singh converted to make it 5-3. They had another chance from a late penalty corner, but Argentine goalkeeper Tomas Santiago made the crucial save to seal the result.
The loss came after India had already suffered a 3-1 defeat against the Netherlands in their previous Pool E match. Their earlier campaign had included wins over Wales and Pakistan, along with a loss to England.
India’s World Cup campaign will now conclude with the seventh-eighth place match against Belgium.
The Indian men’s team last reached the Hockey World Cup semi-finals in 1975, when they went on to win the title in Kuala Lumpur. The 1975 triumph remains India’s only World Cup title. At the 2023 edition, India finished ninth after failing to reach the quarter-finals.
