'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
In a truly absorbing affair at the Kalinga Stadium, England rode on the dynamic skills of their attackers to knockout reigning Olympic Champions Argentina and book a place in the semifinals of the 2018 Hockey World Cup.
After a goalless opening quarter, the action became intense when Gonzalo Peillat's drag-flick pulled Argentina ahead in the 17th minute. However, Barry Middleton equalised with a spectacular strike in the 27th minute.
Right at the end of the third quarter, Middleton created a terrific opportunity for Will Calnan who duly propelled England into the lead. Peillat levelled the scores by converting a penalty corner in the 48th minute. A minute later, Harry Martin scored the decisive goal of the match and helped his team stave off the Argentinians.
Here are the three standout players from England's thrilling 3-2 victory over Argentina in the first quarterfinal clash.
#3 Gonzalo Peillat (Argentina)
Arriving into this match on the back of four goals in the group stages, Gonzalo Peillat reiterated his drag-flicking prowess by converting two of his three penalty corner opportunities into crucial goals. The one that got away was a mistrap emanating from a poor ball in.
At the start of the second quarter, Argentina's sudden spurt of energy resulted in a penalty corner. Although George Pinner read the trajectory quite well, such was the pace of Peillat's booming drag-flick that the ball settled into the back of the net after crashing into his gloves.
When Argentina desperately needed to convert, Peillat capitalised on a rare penalty corner and levelled the scores in the 48th minute. The accuracy and timing of his straight-arrow allowed the ball to slip underneath the low diving Pinner.
Aside from extending his tournament tally to six goals and moving past Blake Govers to the top spot, Peillat also continued to impress with a solid effort in the Argentinian back-line. Considering the persistent pressure applied by the England attackers, the 26-year-old's clearance-rate was remarkable.
#2 Barry Middleton (England)
With a whopping 435 caps for England, Barry Middleton is comfortably the most experienced player in the 2018 Hockey World Cup. Needless to say, in a tournament as big as this one, there's always immense pressure on the seasoned heads to lead from the front.
After a lackluster show in the group stages, the 34-year-old found himself considerable scrutiny. However, when push came to shove, Middleton rose to the occasion and stamped his authority in the pivotal quarterfinal clash.
Upon receiving a sterling ball from Liam Ansell, Middleton unfurled a fierce strike from a tough angle and scored his 119th career goal. Juan Vivaldi, who was in immense form at that point in time, could only watch as the ball crashed into the top right-hand corner. The equaliser allowed England to breathe easier during half-time.
Middleton was in the thick of the action in a pulsating third quarter. Right before the hooter blared, the veteran fed a stunning aerial ball to confound numerous Argentinian defenders. Latching on to the pass, Will Calnan beat Vivaldi to propel England into the lead.
#1 Liam Ansell
Despite being among the least experienced players in the England squad, Liam Ansell's incredible maturity and bustling energy have been instrumental to their commendable display thus far. While he did not add to his tally of two goals in the tournament, the 25-year-old was the heartbeat of the team during the vast majority of their attacking endeavors.
Ansell demonstrated magical stick-work when he weaved past quite a few Argentinian defenders in the 27th minute. Taking us back to the glory days of individual brilliance, he even managed to carry the ball on his stick and created space for eventual goal-scorer Barry Middleton.
When Argentina pushed men forward into England's inner circle, Ansell even came to the rescue of his fellow teammates by cutting down a dangerous pass at the beginning of the third quarter.
In the final quarter, his menacing pace proved too hot to handle for the opposition defence. He cut through myriad midfielders all by himself and almost put his name on the score-sheet. However, his lethal strike cannoned on to the post. For his tireless work right throughout the game, Ansell pipped the goal-scorers to procure the Player of the Match award.
Follow Sportskeeda for all the latest Hockey World Cup Points table, schedule, stats & previews.
