Argentina cruise to 3-0 win over Germany

Argentina's hockey player Ignacio Ortiz celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Germany

Bhubaneswar, Dec 9: Argentina ended their Pool B campaign with six points following a 3-0 win over Germany in the opening game of day three of the hockey Champions Trophy here on Tuesday.

After a chanceless first quarter, Argentina upped the ante in the second. Captain Matias Paredes was at the centre of everything, and he opened the scoring with a mid-circle smash.

German goalkeeper Felix Reuss brought about a brilliant save after a stining shot from Argentine Gonzalo Peillat. But Argentine Joaquin Menini, in fine form, clipped into the top corner.

Paredes laid on a perfect back-door pass for Menini to race clear and to make it 2-0.

Germany had a couple of better openings in the third quarter of this tight battle, with Florian Fuchs firing across the face of goal. Juan Vivaldi made some tidy saves while the Argentine defence foiled a penalty corner.

Christopher Wesley shot a sharp, close-range effort wide early in the fourth quarter and then miscued a shot to continue Germany's frustrations.

The Germans were caught again from a quick free on 49 minutes which Ignacio Ortiz popped past Reuss for the 3-0 score.

From there, the European side had their moments but could not get one back. They ended the group on three points courtesy their 1-0 win over India Saturday.