Argentina's Los Leones defeat India 5-3, inching closer to World Cup hockey semifinals

Argentina's national field hockey team, Los Leones, secured a crucial 5-3 victory over India on Monday, bringing them to the brink of the 2026 World Cup semifinals. The win, achieved in the final Group E match at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands, places Argentina in a strong position, but their advancement now hinges on the result of the England versus Netherlands game.

Joaquín Toscani opened the scoring within the first minute, setting a decisive tone for the match. Nicolás De la Torre, Tomás Domene with two goals, and Lucas Toscani added to Argentina's tally. India's Singh Sukhjeet scored twice, and Singh Hardik contributed one goal for the Asian team, but it was not enough to overcome Los Leones' offensive pressure.

With this win, Argentina has accumulated six points in Group E. Their path to the semifinals is clear unless England achieves a victory by three or more goals against the Netherlands, who are considered the tournament favorites. The Argentine squad, managed by Lucas Rey, comprises a roster of experienced players, with several reserves ready to step in if needed. Should Argentina advance, their semifinal opponent will be determined by the standings in Group E, which also includes Australia, Spain, Germany, and Belgium.