Defending champions England came unstuck against Germany at the EuroHockey Championships in Amsterdam, going down 1-0 in a closely-fought encounter.
Cecile Pieper put the world number seven side ahead early on with a fine finish past goalkeeper Maddie Hinch, and England failed to restore parity thereafter.
England did create opportunities, but German keeper Julia Ciupka was in fine form and denied their attack several times.
England are in control of their fate still, with a win against Scotland on Tuesday enough to book them a semi-final spot.
Pieper’s goal stunned England, but they were quickly on top and exerting plenty of pressure on the Germans – with Susannah Townsend and Alex Danson going close.
Sarah Haycroft almost levelled the scores in the second half from close range but Ciupka denied England again, before Hollie Webb fired narrowly wide.
Elsewhere in Pool B, Scotland and Ireland played out a goalless draw.
Both sides had plenty of chances but failed to take them as they struggled in and around the box, with Deidre Duke going close for Ireland early on.
The second half saw both sides bomb forward in search of a winner and plenty of penalty corners were awarded, but defences came out on top each time.
"It was a tough physical game, and we knew it would be, and it could have went either way. I think the draw was a fair result in the end," said Scotland boss Gordon Shepherd.
"We played very well in the third quarter and could have taken advantage of being a player up in the fourth, but the girls gave it everything – I’m really proud of the players, nothing was left behind."