New Delhi [India], August 24 (ANI): India's wait for a podium finish at the Men's Hockey World Cup stretched to 51 years as the Harmanpreet Singh-led side crashed out of the 2026 edition after suffering a 3-5 defeat to Argentina on Monday.
According to ESPN, India needed to beat Argentina by at least two goals to keep their semifinal hopes alive, but a poor defensive display allowed the South Americans to take control and end India's campaign.
Argentina started aggressively and took the lead in the first minute through Joaquin Toscani, who converted a field goal. Della Torre then doubled the advantage in the sixth minute with a penalty corner.
India responded through Sukhjeet Singh, who pulled one back with a field goal in the 10th minute, giving the hosts hope of a comeback.
However, Argentina restored their two-goal cushion in the 33rd minute when Domene found the target. The same player struck again in the 45th minute, converting a penalty stroke to make it 4-1.
Lucas Toscani then added Argentina's fifth goal in the 53rd minute, leaving India with a mountain to climb.
India showed some late fight as Sukhjeet scored his second goal of the match in the 58th minute before Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke a minute later to reduce the deficit to 3-5.
India earned a penalty corner right on the final hooter after Harmanpreet Singh found a foot, but his drag-flick was saved, bringing their World Cup campaign to an end.
India conceded 16 goals across five matches, with their defensive frailties ultimately proving costly in a tournament where they needed a strong result against Argentina.
The defeat also extends India's long wait for a World Cup medal. India have won the Men's Hockey World Cup only once, in 1975, when they defeated Pakistan 2-1 in the final in Kuala Lumpur.
The country had won medals in each of the first three editions -- bronze in 1971, silver in 1973 and gold in 1975 -- but has not returned to the podium since.
India will now play Belgium in the classification match for seventh and eighth place.
The result also means India's campaign at the 2026 Hockey World Cups has ended, with the women's team having been eliminated on Sunday following a goalless draw against Australia.
For head coach Craig Fulton and the Indian players, attention will now quickly turn towards the Asian Games, which begin next month in Japan's Aichi-Nagoya. (ANI)
India knocked out of FIH Men's World Cup 2026 after 3-5 defeat against Argentina
