Hockey World Cup: India crashes out after another lacklustre show

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Argentina's Lucas Toscani and Hardik Singh fight for possession. | Photo Credit: AFP

Sukhjeet Singh put his arms aloft in celebration after scoring a goal in the 57th minute. But it was his side’s second to Argentina’s five as its World Cup run was nearing the end. It summed up India’s day at the Wagener Stadion on Monday.

Twenty three years ago, it was in this very arena, where India scripted one of its greatest comebacks, overturning a 2-4 deficit in 15 minutes to beat Pakistan 7-4 in the Champions Trophy. Needing a big win to stay alive in the men’s World Cup, there was to be no repeat story from the current class as it went down 5-3.

A sloppy display from Craig Fulton’s men , keeping with this team’s run so far in 2026, was picked apart by a ruthless Argentina. The defeat was India’s third in five games in this World Cup. The former champion also let in 16 goals — the most it has conceded since the 2010 edition. Finishing last in Pool E, India will play the seventh-place classification game against Belgium.

India got off to a dreadful start as Argentina capitalised on its defensive errors.

Inside 40 seconds, a failed clearance allowed an unmarked Joaquin Toscani slot home for the first.

Four minutes later, indecision from Yashdeep Siwach resulted in the defender conceding a penalty corner, which Nicolas Della Torre pushed low and hard to make it 2-0.

India found a lifeline through Sukhjeet as he scored with a backhand finish.

Better control prevailed in the second quarter before further mistakes proved to be India’s undoing once again. Mohith H.S. could do nothing to stop Tomas Domene’s fiercely-struck reverse-hit.

Yashdeep’s day got only worse when his backpass was intercepted inside the 25 yards before the resulting shot on target struck his foot. Domene made no mistake from the spot to make it 4-1. With eight minutes to go, Lucas Toscani , under little pressure from Sanjay Rana, added a fifth from a tight angle.

A late resurgence saw India reduce the margin with another goal from Sukhjeet deflecting in a slapshot from Mandeep Singh before Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke.

The result: Argentina 5 (Joaquin Toscani 1, Della Torre 5-pc, Domene 32 & 44-ps, Lucas Toscani 52) bt India 3 (Sukhjeet 9 & 57, Hardik 60-ps).

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