Pakistan’s fighting spirit not enough as Argentina clinch victory in FIH Pro League thriller
Pakistan delivered a spirited and highly competitive performance but narrowly lost 3–2 to hosts Argentina in their FIH Pro League fixture at the Santiago del Estero Hockey Club, 24NewsHD TV reported on Friday.
The match was a five-goal battle marked by momentum swings, fast transitions, and high-quality finishing.
Fresh off a shoot-out victory against the Netherlands, Argentina secured full points again—though not without a stern test from a resurgent Pakistan side that started brightly.
Pakistan pressed aggressively in the opening quarter, carving out early scoring opportunities.
Waheed Ashraf Rana tested goalkeeper Tomas Santiago with a sharp close-range effort before dragging his second attempt just wide of the far post.
Argentina struggled initially with their penalty-corner execution, as Tomas Domene’s backhand effort hit only the side netting.
Pakistan may have lost 3–2, but they delivered hockey far superior to Argentina’s. Their flair, skill, and classic Pakistani stick work lit up the field something the hockey world had been missing.#Hockey #pakistan pic.twitter.com/PBEMwt9CCV
— Syed Arslan Abbas (@ImArslanSherazi) December 12, 2025
But the hosts broke the deadlock in the second quarter through a well-constructed move. Thomas Habif sliced through the baseline and set up Ignacio Nardolillo, who fed Domene for a point-blank finish, giving Argentina a 1–0 lead at halftime.
Pakistan hit back after the break when Muhammad Ammad cleverly redirected a Zikriya Hayat pass to level the score at 1–1. However, Argentina’s response was immediate and emphatic, with their penalty-corner battery swinging into action.
Nicolas della Torre fired low to restore the lead before Maico Casella blasted a flick into the top corner after multiple re-awards, stretching the advantage to 3–1.
FT: Pakistan 2-3 Argentina
— Muneeb Farrukh (@Muneeb313_) December 11, 2025
Pakistan could have easily drawn this game and even won if they had made good use of their chances. Very exciting brand of hockey by Pakistan. Onwards and upwards boys! #FIHProLeague #Hockey pic.twitter.com/xYzsRr1o7y
Pakistan refused to fade, winning three consecutive penalty-corner re-awards late in the third quarter. Waleed Rana capitalised on a rebound to make it 3–2, keeping the contest alive heading into the final period.
Both sides produced half-chances in the fourth quarter, but Argentina’s defensive structure and earlier set-piece precision preserved their narrow edge. Thomas Habif’s dynamic performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
The result follows Pakistan’s 5–2 defeat to the Netherlands in their Pro League debut at the same venue.
The Green Shirts will face the Dutch again on December 13 and wrap up their opening leg against Argentina on December 15.