England advanced into the Hockey World Cup semi-finals after a stunning 3-2 victory against reigning Olympic champions Argentina thanks to a thrilling comeback from Danny Kerry’s side.
Harry Martin struck the all-important winner to put the world number seven ranked side into the final four in Bhubaneswar.
Argentina went ahead through Gonzalo Peillat, but England star Barry Middleton hauled the 1986 World Cup runners-up level with a composed finish.
A pivotal strike from Will Calnan swung the tie in Danny Kerry’s side’s favour before Peillat levelled once more with his second of the match.
But Martin sealed the win to put England into a third consecutive World Cup semi-final where they will face the winner of the clash between Germany and Belgium on Saturday.
Man of the match Liam Ansell was delighted with the upset against the world number two ranked side.
“I’m ecstatic, we knew that was going to be a tough match," he said.
"They have got arguably the number one corner threat in the tournament and stopping him from playing his game was crucial there.
“We knew they were going to keep the ball for long periods of time and we just had to wait that out and wait for opportunities.
“We knew they were going to crash the ball and get it on a plinth for their players. But we managed to hunt them down and we managed to put in a stellar performance and show some resilience by coming back from 0-1 and 2-2.
“As a squad we have got a few young guys come in and they have stood out.
“As a team we have been talking before matches about our mentality and going into it and making sure we are in the right head-space.
“I am looking forward to the next round.”
England were handed the chance to open the scoring in the first quarter but couldn’t take advantage from successive penalty corners as James Gall saw his shot deflected clear of goal.
But against the run of play Argentina made the decisive breakthrough courtesy of top scorer Peillat when the forward found a gap under George Pinner from a penalty corner for his fifth of the tournament.
The setback did little to upset England’s rhythm and they almost immediately hit back when Zack Wallace’s effort was expertly scrambled clear by Argentina’s stopper.
Lucas Vila and Matias Paredes both took aim, but German Orozco’s men found themselves pegged back when Argentina were temporarily reduced to 10 men five minutes before the break.
Mark Gleghorne almost took immediate advantage of the man advantage, but England finally brought themselves level when veteran Middleton slammed the ball into the bottom corner for his 119th goal in England colours.
England were knocked back in the third period when Calnan visibly kicked the ball to leave the referee no option but to hand a yellow card to the young forward.
But the 22-year-old’s impact was felt immediately when he returned to the field by putting England into a stunning lead with a wicked strike into the bottom corner on the brink of the fourth quarter.
Middleton, on his 279th cap made a stunning goal line clearance, but Argentina drew level when Peillat struck home the subsequent penalty corner through Pinner’s legs.
But England showed their resolve as they countered immediately and Martin managed to get a telling stroke past the ailing Argentina keeper to seal a superb victory and end a seven game winless streak against the South Americans. Sportsbeat 2018