INDIA: France and Argentina drew 5-5 in a thrilling Group A match between the two sides on Friday.
France vs Argentina
Argentina got off the mark quickly after the game started through Nicolas Keenan’s goal. France equalized moments later when Blaise Rogeau, playing his 100th match, assisted Etienne Tynevez in slotting the ball into the Argentinean goalpost.
Both teams battled hard in an eventless second quarter, in which either side scored no goals. France earned a penalty corner a few minutes into the second quarter, but Charlet’s shot went wide off the goal. Matteo received a green card for his rough tackle, which meant France was down to ten players for ten minutes.
Monja stole the ball for Argentina and charged into the Les Blues’ circle before scoring. However, the referee disallowed the goal as the back of the stick was involved.
The third quarter witnessed both teams turn up the ante and play aggressively. Argentina broke the deadlock and led 2-1 when Nicolas della Torre flicked the ball past the French defenders and goalkeeper.
France returned quickly through their captain Charlet, who scored the goal and equalized for his side after a referral drama. Argentina asked for a referral against France, against which the referee ultimately ruled.
A few moments later, Charlet scored again and helped France lead 3-2 for the first time in the match. France won a penalty corner when the Argentine defender stopped the aerial ball. Charlet converted the penalty corner.
Nicolas della Torres flicked the ball into the French goalpost in the third quarter’s final minutes to help Argentina equalize 3-3.
Four minutes into the final quarter, France earned a penalty corner which Victor Charlet successfully converted for his hat-trick and France’s lead by 4-3.
Martin Ferreiro equalized for the Argentinians, who kept coming back against the French lead. In the game’s dying moments, Charlet again scored for France to help his side take a 5-4 lead.
However, it didn’t last long after della Torre scored his hat-trick goal with less than five seconds left in the game, and Argentina leveled 5-5 with France.
Also Read: FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup: Dominant India Thump Wales 4-2
