After falling behind early to a Sophie Bray goal, the defending champions were back on level par inside 20 minutes when Carla Rebecchi slotted home from a penalty corner.

Chances were plentiful for both sides in the ensuing two quarters with neither able to break the deadlock.

That was to change in the second half as Argentina slotted home three goals in 10 minutes to put the game well and truly beyond the winless England team.

Silvia D'Elia put the hosts ahead in the 51st minute before Luchetti Rosario added a third on 56 and Delfino Merino rounded off the rout on 58.

This dominant victory gave Argentina the edge against Australia in the battle for top spot in Pool B, with the Hockeyroos' 3-1 victory over Germany enough only for second spot.

The three-time defending Commonwealth champions and six-time Champions Trophy gold medallists let in a costly last minute consolation goal to their German opponents to drop into second place in the Pool.

First half goals from Georgia Nanscawen and Jodie Kenny gave the Aussies a comfortable lead coming into the break, with a third from Emily Smith just seconds into the second half putting the results all but beyond the Germans.

That did not stop Franzisca Hauke from spoiling the party, however, as she capitalised on a period of sustained pressure for the Germans to deny the whitewash and push Australia a goal behind Argentina in the standings.

A 3-1 victory for New Zealand gave them the edge in Pool A ©FIH



New Zealand ran out leaders in Pool A as they rounded off the preliminary stages with a comfortable 2-0 victory against China.

A first-half brace by captain Anita Pun was more than enough for the All Sticks to secure the win with China's lack of flair in front of goal proving costly yet again.

It took a last gasp goal from The Netherlands' Maartje Paumen for the reigning world and Olympic champions to secure their second win in Mendoza as they edged past a resilient Japanese side 1-0.

Japan had defended heroically for 59 minutes as they knocked back everything the Dutch could throw at them, but could do nothing to stop Paumen flicking home the winner in the closing seconds of play.

The win was not enough for The Netherlands to take top spot in the Pool as they slot into second behind New Zealand.

They will now face Germany in the quarter-finals, while New Zealand take on England.

The other two quarters will see Australia against Japan and Argentina versus China.

With players given a break tomorrow, thee quarter-final are due to take place on Thursday (December 4).

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