Hockey World Cup 2018 highlights: New Zealand beat France 2-1; Spain lose

In today's first match, Argentina beat Spain 4-3 in a goal fest. In the second match, New Zealand beat France 2-1.

Agustin Mazzilli and Gonzalo Peillat scored a brace each to help Olympic champions Argentina eke out a 4-3 win over Spain, while New Zealand scrapped past France 2-1 in their opening matches of hockey World Cup 2018 on Thursday

Hockey World Cup 2018 Day 2: Check Australia vs Ireland and England vs China Live match updates here

Check FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2018 points table here
 

Six places may separate the two teams in the FIH rankings but world number eight Spain gave Argentina, ranked second, a run for their money in the high-scoring Pool A match that produced end-to-end hockey.

The Los Leones had to dish out every trick from their arsenal to get the better of a fighting Spanish side, which matched their rivals in every department throughout.

Mazzilli (4th, 15th minutes) and Peillat (15th, 49th) were the goal scorers for Argentina, while Spain's goals came from the sticks of Enrique Gonzalez (3rd), Josep Romeu (14th) and Vicenc Ruiz (35th).

In the day's second Pool A match, New Zealand scored two field goals through Kane Russell (16th) and Stephen Jenness (56th) to get the better of France.

France's lone goal came a minute away from the final hooter through a penalty corner conversion by Victor Charlet (59th).

In the first game, Spain stunned the Argentines as early as in the third minute through young Gonzalez's fine field strike past Argetina goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi from a move which he only started.

But a minute later Mazzilli drew level for Argentina, deflecting in a cross from the right wing past Spain's goalkeeper Quico Cortes.

Spain restored their lead in the 14th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Romeu.

It was an end-to-end battle as Mazzilli (15th minute) again came to Argentina's rescue, equalising 45 seconds from the first quarter after receiving a pass from Lucas Villa on the left side.

Just seconds away from the first break of the match, Argentina scored again when dragflick specialist Peillat (15t) converted a penalty corner with precision to hand his side the lead for the first time.

Both the teams played with same intensity and pace in the second quarter but failed to find the net.

Five minutes after the change of ends, Spain equalised through Ruiz's (35th) field strike.

The match went on similar lines in the fourth and final quarter with both Argentina and Spain pressing hard for more goals to secure three points.

But it were the Argentines who succeeded in their effort when Peillat was again bang on target from another penalty corner in the 49th minute.

Thereafter, Spain dished out all the tricks, including withdrawing their goalkeeper for an extra player four minutes from the final hooter, but failed to breach the Argentina defence.

Argentina will play New Zealand in their next pool match on December 3, while Spain will be up against France.

8:24 PM

NEW ZEALAND beat FRANCE 2-1

8:21 PM

France get a penalty corner. and a GOAL!!! France will be delighted. No, a mistake. Ball was stopped inside the circle. Goal not given. NO NO. It has been added to the Fracne total. The goal stands. Lot of confusion.

8:15 PM

Less than 5 mins to go. And here is a goal by New Zealand. JENNESS scores in 56th minute. 

8:12 PM

France have a penalty corner. What a pathetic miss there by France. THey will regret this. Another chance awarded. Missed again. Kiwi defence too strong for France to penetrate.

8:10 PM

There was an opportunity for New Zealand to score. How did they miss that? There was no one at the goal post except the keeper. 

8:08 PM

Two white shits marking each Kiwi forward. This is really brilliant strategy

8:07 PM

Less than 10 minutes to go in the game. France giving it all. Kiwis trying to score again to take definative lead. 

8:05 PM

Amazing stick work by France, good coordination. Just not enough for the ball to find the net. 

8:04 PM

Kiwis trying to up the ante in the final quarter. 

8:02 PM

Quarter 4 begins

8:00 PM

Quarter 3 ends. 

7:57 PM

Seems Kiwis are taking things at a little ease. Long passes, clearing the ball. And French are doing all they can to gain the ball possession. 

7:54 PM

Finally, France have a penalty corner. Poor miss by France here. The stroke rebounded from the pads of keeper and no player could hit it again. 

7:52 PM

The good thing to see in this half is the way the French are trying and suceeding in stealing the ball from Kiwis. However, they need to improve on the coordination in the circle. 

7:50 PM

The French side look far better in the second half. Better dribbling of the ball and passing.