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		Argentina vs Spain. Photo: @FIH_Hockey</div>
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In today's first match, Argentina beat Spain 4-3 in a goal fest. In the second match, New Zealand beat France 2-1.

Ibarra Pedro, Captain, Argentina Hockey

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: <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/sports/hockey-world-cup-2018-live-score-australia-vs-ireland-live-match-england-vs-china-live-streaming-today-hockey-match-118113000505_1.html" target="_blank">Check Australia vs Ireland and England vs China Live match updates here</a> 
<a href="https://www.business-standard.com/hockey-world-cup-2018-points-table" target="_blank"> 
Check FIH Men&rsquo;s Hockey World Cup 2018 points table here</a> 
&nbsp; 

	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&#39;s goals came from the sticks of Enrique Gonzalez (3rd), Josep Romeu (14th) and Vicenc Ruiz (35th).

	In the day&#39;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&#39;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&#39;s fine field strike past&nbsp;Argetina&nbsp;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&#39;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&#39;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&nbsp;dragflick&nbsp;specialist Peillat (15t) converted a penalty corner with precision to hand his side the lead for the first time.

	Both the teams played with&nbsp;same&nbsp;intensity and pace in the second quarter but failed to find the net.

	Five minutes after the change of ends, Spain equalised through Ruiz&#39;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&nbsp;were&nbsp;the Argentines who succeeded in their effort when Peillat&nbsp;was again bang&nbsp;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.

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

Business Standard

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

There was a chance for France to score but luck didn&#39;t side with them. Missed by a whisker.&nbsp;

France fighting for ball possession. Circle penetration by French. They should have tried to gain a penalty corner

29th minute: Green card for Kane Russell

2 minutes left in the second quarter as France look to score on counter attack

24th minute: A brilliant defense from France&nbsp;

19th minute: New Zealand 1 | 0 France 
 
(photo: www.worldcup2018.hockey)

https://bsmedia.business-standard.com/_media/bs/img/live-blog/full/15434995596308.jpg

16th minute: New Zealand take the lead as Russell targets the far-post

AFTER FIRST QUARTER: New Zealand 0 | 0 France 
 
(photo: www.worldcup2018.hockey)

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15th minute: A brilliant cross from Francois Goyet, Clement did get the stick but fails to see the ball to the target

9th minute: New Zealand are controlling the game well and holding the ball for long periods of time. A couple of great touches towards goal. The French goalkeeper has so far been up to the challenge.

5th minute: The first 5 minutes remain goalless the both teams concentration on long passes