Hockey World Cup 2018: Argentina vs Spain - 5 Talking Points

The Argentinian gaffer Germán Orozco mentioned before the start of the match that 'The Spanish are tough to beat - don't know why, but they are.' His words proved to be spot on as there was little separating Argentina and Spain as they clashed in the 3rd encounter of the 2018 Hockey World Cup.

It was a cracking game of hockey. Who would have imagined that World Rank 2 Argentina would have such a difficult time facing Spain, who are ranked 8th as per the current FIH rankings. A lot of drama has been witnessed early on in the mega tournament and this match really raised the bar a step further.

A close encounter was always expected between The Lions and The Red Sticks. Even though the Argentinians were ranked much higher and were more decorated, Spain gained confidence from the fact that they had the upper hand in the head to head record during the World Cups. In the 7 matches the two teams played at the World Cup, Spain had won 3, Argentina won 2 whereas 2 ended in draws.

The Lions are famously known as the counter attacking giants in World Hockey and this is exactly what helped them to a narrow 4-3 victory over Spain this time around. This match really brought the World Cup alive and was the most evenly-contested tie one can imagine.

The Kalinga stadium -- with a capacity of 15000 -- was also almost full even though the home team India were not playing. The match was a all-Hispanic classic. Los Leones or The Lions as the Argentinians are nicknamed will be really happy to clinch all three points from the match.

Sublime finishing was at display by both teams. Argentina had 5 shots on goal -- 4 of which were goals. Even Spain got 3 goals from their 6 shots on goal. The teams were offensive on the attack as well -- with The Lions having 12 circle entries and The Red Sticks with 18 circle entries. A brilliant game overall with plenty of positives to take for both teams from this absorbing match. Let us dive straight into what were the 5 talking points from this enthralling fixture:

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#5 Quickfire goals by both teams in Quarter 1

Spain's Gonzalez while scoring the first goal of the day

Spain took the lead in the 3rd minute itself with a goal from Enrique González but the South Americans pulled one back almost immediately in the 4th minute -- with a counter-attacking move which was finished off by Agustin Mazzilli.

Thereafter, The Red Sticks scored off a Penalty corner in the 14th minute and Mazzilli scored his -- and Argentina's -- 2nd goal in the same minute with another phenomenal counter attack. Spain's 2nd goal was beatifully waited and fizzed by Josep Romeu past the hapless Argentinian keeper.

Argentina's resilience and hunger to take the lead paid off as they got a penalty corner right at the hooter of Quarter 1. Gonzalo Peillat scored with a thundrous dragflick right through the legs of the Spanish goalkeeper Francisco Cortés Juncosa and helped the Men in Blue and White get the lead for the first time in the game.

There were a total of 5 goals scored in Quarter 1 itself. The first 15 minutes were so high on energy and adrenaline that the 2nd quarter, although well contested, felt as if was a tad bit slow. It was an absolutely astonishing period of hockey and the Argentinians led 3-2 at the end of the first quarter itself.

Even though Spain were patient and looked hungry to get the equalizer in the 2nd quarter, the Argentenian defense stood tall like a wall. Both the teams played high up in the first quarter which resulted in so many turnovers. There were not many chances created but the quality of finishing was so immaculate by both teams that there was hardly any opportunity on which the teams failed to score.

In quarter 2, both the teams regained composure and tried to hold onto the ball longer with good passing all around. This resulted in fewer turnovers. As a result, there were also lesser chances created.

#4 Remarkable conversion rate of Penalty Corners

Argentina v Spain - FIH Men's Hockey World Cup

In a game which witnessed so many goals, it was good to see only 6 penalty corners were conceded in all and 4 out of the 7 goals were scored in open play.

Argentina's Tomás Bettaglio got a green card at the end of the 2nd quarter and later a yellow at a crucial juncture in the 4th quarter. However, the rest of the Argentenian team stood their ground well. There were just 7 minutes remaining on the clock when Tomás Bettaglio got the yellow. Playing a man down for 5 minutes could have really cost the Argentenians as Spain had the man advantage but luckily for them, it did not.

Spain would be a little dissapointed with their defense on certain occassions -- for letting the opposition have the tiny pockets of space -- which caused counter attacks.

As mentioned earlier, Spain scored their 2nd goal off a Penalty corner in the 14th minute. The Red Sticks got another opportunity as they won a penalty corner -- their 2nd of the match -- in the 37th minute in quarter 3 but this time the the Argentenian goalkeeper Juan Manuel Vivaldi did well to deny them.

Gonzalo Peillat of Argentina scored off their first Penalty corner which they got right at the end of the first quarter.

Argentina got their 2nd penalty corner at the end of the 3rd quarter -- right at the death just as they did in the first quarter. The Spanish keeper Cortés Juncosa made a brilliant save this time around even though it was a powerful drag flick by Peillat.

Spain got their 3rd Penalty corner at the start of the 4th quarter. 35-year-old Quemada fired it in and it went back after flicking the post. He was unlucky that time as it was a powerful drag flick and the post denied him.

Argentina got a their 3rd Penalty corner in the 49th minute. The Lions scored as Peillat went for full power with his drag flick and the ball went into the roof of the net. One of The Red Sticks' defender got a stick in the way but it wasn't enough to stop the powerful shot and Argentina led 4-3.

In all, both sides had 3 penalty corners each. The Lions converted 2 of them while the Spanish team converted 1.

#3 Spain's youngster Enrique González posed a huge threat

Argentina v Spain - FIH Men's Hockey World Cup

Crisp skills and a brisk run by Enrique González on the right flank helped Spain get their first Penalty corner -- off which they scored as well. It was a beatifully worked out Penalty corner with a clever dummy making the defenders focus on Quemada while the ball was passed on to Josep Romeu -- who scoread a with a clinical finish to give his side the lead again.

The 22-year-old Gonzalez was a real live wire up front. He looked purposeful and made extremely dangerous runs. Gonzalez scored the opener for his team in the 3rd minute thanks to attentive play and by dispossessing an Argentinian defender. The youngster was always at the heart of the game and the crowd expected something to happen whenever the ball came to him.

Pau Quemada was also exceptional for Spain and almost got the lead for Spain in the 4th quater with a brilliant individual effort. However, the Argentinian custodian Vivaldi did well to come off his line quickly to intercept him.

Enrique González could have made it 4-4 in the final second and help his team snatch a point as he had the opportunity to shoot at goal. It would have been a really freakish finish but he missed the ball completely. The youngster was just distraught when he missed that chance. Besides this one missed opportunity, the Spaniard weaved magic on field.

#2 Spain in no way looked like the weaker opponents

Players in action during the Argentina vs Spain match

If we are to compare the World Ranks of the two teams then many would have felt that Argentina (WR 2) would be the clear favourites against Spain (WR 8). However, such was not at all the case.

The Red Sticks were dominating the possession in the first quarter -- which was completely against the run of play. They had greater number of circle penetrations compared to the South Americans.

The 6th goal of the game was scored by Vicenç Ruiz in the 35th minute and was an extremely critical one as it got the scoreline to 3-3 and gived the Spaniards hope. Ruiz scored the goal with a clinical finish from a narrow angle, giving the Argentenian goalkeeper Vivaldi absolutely no chance. Who would have thought that the Rio Olympic Gold Medalists would be put under so much pressure from Spain.

There was never a dull moment when the ball was with Spain. They were not afraid to attack the oppositions half and held majority of the possession while attacking. There was immence faith amongst Fred Soyez' troops and a belief that they could win the game. In all, they were a true delight to watch.

#1 Agustin Mazzilli and Gonzalo Peillat make their exerience count for Argentina

Argentina v Spain - FIH Men's Hockey World Cup

Manzzilli scored a brilliant brace as he directed two balls goalward in open play. The Argentenian really displayed a terrific reading of the game and knew when and where the ball is going to be played on both the occassions during the counter attacks. He was also classy with both the finishes and had to be there at the right place at the right time to score his teams first two goals. Mazzilli was also named the Player of the match for his exceptional display in front of goal.

Gonzalo Peillat's drag flicks were also of tremendous quality. Even a experienced candidate like Francisco Cortés of Spain could not do much about them. Peillat's first goal came in the 14th minute through a Penalty corner. His second goal (and Argentina's 4th) came in the 49th minute off another beautifully taken Penalty coner. One can look at his drag flicks all day and still not get tired of them.

Every game is vital with the new format that has been introduced at the Hockey World Cup and one team can not afford any slip ups.

The game between Argentina and Spain was initially predicted to be a low scoring one but ended up as a high scoring one. This match proved that it will be hard to predict any of the results in a precise way throughout the tenure of the competition.

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