HWL Finals: Belgium demolishes Spain

In the other match on Sunday, Argentina held Netherlands to a 3-3 draw.

 Netherland’s Verga Valentin (No. 10) celebrates after scoring the second goal against Argentina at the Kalinga stadium on Sunday.

Netherland’s Verga Valentin (No. 10) celebrates after scoring the second goal against Argentina at the Kalinga stadium on Sunday. | Photo Credit: Biswaranjan Rout

Three goals in as many minutes saw Spain go from simply losing a game to being thrashed comprehensively by World No. 2 Belgium, suffering a 5-0 loss on Sunday here at the Hockey World League Finals. The other match saw Argentina fight back thrice to draw 3-3 with Netherlands.

Read: Hot-and-cold India takes on Germany

Loick Luypaert struck thrice for Belgium which only had a 1-0 lead at half time as Spain preferred to stay back and look for chances to counter. But a contested penalty corner converted three minutes from time saw Spain throw all caution to the wind. It didn't earn a goal but did help Belgium score twice more past a non-existent defence to go top of Pool A with two wins in as many games.

In the other Pool A game, Gonzalo Peillat finally found the target 20 seconds from time to help Olympic champion Argentina draw with European champion Netherlands.

  • Belgium 5 (Loick Luypaert 3, Cedric Charlier, Florent van Aubel) bt Spain 0; Argentina 3 (Lucas Vila, Matias Rey, Gonzalo Peillat) drew with Netherlands 3 (Thierry Brinkman, Valentin Verga, Mirco Pruijser).
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