Argentina’s men’s team won an unprecedented Bronze medal at the World Cup after an even match saw them score 2 back-to-back goals late in the second half through Matias Paredes, to their delight and England’s despair.
Argentina 2 (0)
Matias Paredes 55 56 (FG FG)
England 0 (0)
England came into the match after a strong tournament but losing their Semi-Final to an in-form Netherlands side, whereas Argentina were beaten by Australia but are guaranteed to jump up four places to 7th in the world after their results in the World Cup.
Speaking after the game, England Captain Barry Middleton said: "We made a couple of mistakes and they scored a couple of good goals. It's demoralising to lose the game in a couple of bad minutes where the game's been so tight - we played how we wanted to and just didn't do enough in the end. It's hard to take right now, but it's been an amazing tournament."
Argentina had the first real chance of the game, Lucas Vila dribbling un-challenged into the English circle but shooting wide to the right of George Pinner’s post in the England goal. Otherwise it was an even opening to the match, with England just shading possession.
With 12 minutes gone Harry Martin had a great chance for England driving along the right hand base line into the Argentine circle, but with Goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi standing his ground, Martin was unable to keep control of the ball.
There followed a quiet 15 minutes, with no clear-cut chances, both teams unable to generate meaningful circle penetrations, despite Nick Catlin and Ashley Jackson’s attacking approach from midfield for England.
Five minutes to play in the first half Argentina won the first penalty corner of the game, for an Iain Lewers foot in the circle. Gonzalo Peillat’s shot brilliantly saved by Pinner diving to his left, with Middleton backing up well on the line as he had done all tournament.
Shortly afterwards Argentina received a green card – Lucas Martinez with two minutes in the sin bin for a push on Michael Hoare.
Just before half time Vila took a brutal ball to the hand, just below his throat, with gasps from the crowd amid fears the ball had hit him in the face. Thankfully he was ok after some time off the pitch.
There was still time for England to win a penalty corner, created by Barry Middleton’s pace driving into the circle from the right. But the resulting shot was blocked and that was half time.
Five minutes into the second half, and England won a penalty corner from a ball into the circle by Ashley Jackson. Mark Gleghorne’s shot was saved high by Vivaldi - from the resulting play Jackson took a snapshot from the baseline which was also well-saved by Vivaldi.
Argentina then received another green card, Joaquin Menini penalised for contact with Barry Middleton. At this point England had enjoyed more possession but Argentina double the circle penetrations of England.
Argentina drew a save from Pinner with 20 minutes to go, Agustin Mazzilli dribbling cleverly in the English circle but with no support. Four minutes later Menini won Argentina a penalty corner, which was bravely blocked by a very committed Dan Fox.
15 minutes to play and Argentina took the lead. Matias Peredes found space in the circle, and despite Pinner’s desperate attempts to block, Peredes finish well.
Almost immediately, Paredes then doubled Argentina’s lead. A drive up the right base line by Vila was pulled back for Paredes to provide a brilliant finish.
England went searching for goals. Good dribbling from David Condon produced a save from Vivaldi, and a penalty corner. A superb move from England with Jackson firing into a sliding Middleton from the right channel, was met with an outstanding save by Vivaldi who read the move perfectly.
Ten minutes to play and Argentina captain Lucas Rey got a yellow card and five minutes off the field giving England a chance to get back in it. England took Pinner off and went to an 11-man outfield with a kicking-back brought on in place of Pinner.
The chances kept coming, but Michael Hoare received a yellow card and England decided to put Pinner back on, while Argentina defended with numbers. Four minutes to play Pinner was back off as England threw everything at getting a goal.
Jackson won England a penalty corner was yet more excellent dribbling skills on the edge of the Argentina circle. His flick from the corner was brilliantly saved by Vivaldi’s stick diving to his right. He’d been superb in the Argentina goal.
After a desperate final few minutes, Argentina held out to secure the bronze medal, to the delight of the Argentine players and supporters, and the despair of England who’d given it everything.
You can next see England's men and women on home turf at the Investec London Cup on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This is the first tournament to be at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, hockey’s legacy stadium, and will be held across five days from 9th – 13th July. Tickets are available from www.englandhockey.co.uk/tickets.
