World Cup 2018

Hockey World Cup 2018: France shocks Argentina to reach cross-overs, Spain held by NZ

France stunned Olympic champion Argentina 5-3 to seal a cross-over berth, which eliminated Spain who drew 2-2 with New Zealand in the first match.

Team Sportstar Team Sportstar
06 December, 2018 22:51 IST
Team Sportstar Team Sportstar
06 December, 2018 22:51 IST
World No. 8 Spain needed a win against New Zealand to stay alive in the tournament and started with intent. In the 9th minute Albert Beltran put the Red Sticks ahead with a finish from close range. (Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images
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Alvaro Iglesias who scored the equaliser against France, finished from point-blank range in the 27th minute to give a 2-0 lead for Spain at half-time. (AFP) Photo: AFP
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But in the second half, New Zealand put Spain under pressure with its pace on the flanks. In the 50th minute, Hayden Phillips punished the gaps in its defence with a powerful reverse hit into the far post. (Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images
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Kane Russell, completed the comeback as he won a penalty corner and scored from it in the 56th minute to end the match 2-2. New Zealand ensured it has four points from three matches and a place in the cross-over irrespective of the result in the second match. (Biswaranjan Rout) Photo: Biswaranjan Rout
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Expecting Spain's progression to the cross-over turned out to be a mistake as France, ranked No.20 in the world, stunned World No.2 Argentina when it opened the scoring through Hugo Genestet's goal in the 18th minute. (AFP) Photo: AFP
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France sent the capacity crowd in Kalinga Stadium into a tizzy as captain Victor Charlet fired a dragflick into the bottom right corner to make it 2-0 in the 23rd minute. (Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images
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Argentina's experienced defence looked clueless as Aristide Coisne fired past Juan Vivaldi in the 26th minute to make it 3-0 for France, sparking wild celebrations from its coach Jeroen Delmee. (AFP) Photo: AFP
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Lucas Martinez pulled one back for Argentina, but France immediately added another in the final seconds of the second quarter, as Gaspard Baumgarten smashed home from close range to end the breathtaking second quarter at 4-1. (AFP) Photo: AFP
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2014 World Cup top-scorer Gonzalo Peillat closed down the gap to 4-3 with two dragflicks in the 44th and 48th minute. At that point, Los Leones looked to pull things level, but it was not over yet. (Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images
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Francois Goyet made it 5-3 in 54th minute to seal a famous win for France which is playing in the World Cup after 28 years. Les Blues finished second in Pool A with 4 points above New Zealand. Spain with a defeat and 2 draws was eliminated. France and New Zealand will face the third and second placed teams in Pool B respectively on. (Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images
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