India will face Argentina in a must-win second-round clash in the men’s Hockey World Cup today.
FOLLOW THE MATCH | India vs Argentina LIVE score
Having lost to the Netherlands on Saturday, India will have to secure a big win against Argentina and also hope for England to lose to Netherlands by a sufficient margin for it to qualify for the semifinal.
What happened the last time India faced Argentina in men’s hockey?
India and Argentina last faced off in men’s hockey earlier this year in a FIH Pro League 2025-26 game in Rourkela.
Argentina’s Tomas Domene (21) celebrates after scoring against India during his side’s 8-0 win in February 2026.
| Photo Credit:
BISWARANJAN ROUT
Argentina’s Tomas Domene (21) celebrates after scoring against India during his side’s 8-0 win in February 2026.
| Photo Credit:
BISWARANJAN ROUT
It lost 2-4 to Argentina. The defeat extended India’s winless run at a venue that had been an unconquered fortress until now. Even a 19,000-strong crowd could not lift the host, which was second best for much of the contest.
India did avoid conceding in the opening quarter for the first time in four matches and made repeated entries into the Argentine circle. However, those incursions produced little, with India failing to register a shot on goal or earn a Penalty Corner in the first quarter.
Argentina, meanwhile, created several chances and could have taken a sizeable lead inside the opening 15 minutes. The visitor was denied twice by the post, while India goalkeeper Krishan Pathak made a few important saves. On one occasion, Argentina was also thwarted by an extra ball on the field.
The pressure finally told in the 18th minute when Tomas Domene converted Argentina’s first Penalty Corner to break the deadlock. There was no looking back from thereon.
Argentina continued to control proceedings, creating more chances and testing the Indian defence regularly. India’s inability to turn its circle entries into meaningful opportunities left it chasing the game for long periods.
This result came just three days after India had suffered one of its worst ever defeat after Argentina smashed in eight unanswered goals, with Domene scoring four of them.
The result: Argentina 4 (Tomas Domene 18-pc, Tadeo Marcucci 28-pc, 49, Lucio Mendez 43) bt India 2 (Aditya Lalage 50, Sanjay 59-ps).
Published on Aug 24, 2026
