France inflicted a shocking defeat on the Olympic defending champions Argentina to make the Hockey World Cup platform even more competitive. The least favorites French team toppled Argentina 5-3, with their sheer confidence and energetic performance. The last time the two sides met at Hockey World Cup was in 1998, which happened to be France’s last World Cup too. Hugo Genestet scored the opening goal on 18th minute, Victor Charlet on 23rd minute followed by Aristide Coisne. After that, it was Argentina’s turn to respond via Lucas Martinez on the 28th minute, however Gaspard Baumgarten (30th) made sure that France went in to the break with 4-1 lead. Ganzalo Peillat struck twice on the 44th and 48th minute for Argentina to narrow down the lead to 4-3. But, Goyet’s 54th minute decisive strike wrapped up the evening proceedings in France’s favour.
In the other tie of pool A, Spain held New Zealand to 2-2 draw.
