~ Aditya Lalage (50′) and Sanjay (59′) found the back of the net for India ~
Rourkela, February 15, 2026: India suffered a 2-4 defeat to Argentina in the final match of Rourkela leg of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025-2026 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium on Sunday. Tadeo Marcucci (28′, 49′) led the Argentine attack with a brace, while Tomas Domene (18′) and Lucio Mendez (43′) also made crucial contributions. For India, Aditya Lalage (50′) and Sanjay (59′) were the scorers in a hard-fought encounter.
Argentina controlled possession and generated most of the openings in the first quarter, but India managed to get through the phase without conceding. The South Americans registered their first try as early as the third minute when Lucas Martínez struck on the turn from inside the circle to beat Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera but was denied by the post.
Karkera was called into action repeatedly, including after ten minutes when he did well to keep out a powerful effort from Tomás Domene. The pressure continued to mount as Argentina earned no fewer than four penalty corners in the first quarter.
India conceded early in the second quarter, and it was yet another penalty corner that hurt the home side. In the 18th minute, Domene made the most of the set piece by passing the goalkeeper and giving his team the lead.
Argentina doubled their lead soon afterwards, with India struggling to retain possession in midfield and win. Lucas Tosceni delivered an accurate aerial ball and found Tadeo Marcucci in the penalty area, who buried it with a thunderous strike.
Just seconds before half-time, India had the best chance of the encounter. A series of sharp passes into the circle put Aditya Lalage in a dangerous position, but the attacker’s hasty shot sailed over the post.
India bounced back with purpose, winning two successive penalty corners early in the third quarter. Captain Harmanpreet Singh, however, could not convert as the Argentine defense remained steadfast.
The visitors quickly extended their lead. Toscani produced a brilliant run, beating two defenders before throwing the ball to Lucio Mendez, who made no mistake with a clinical finish to put Argentina 3-0 ahead.
In the early exchanges of the final quarter, India came close to reducing the deficit when Rajinder made a powerful pass from the right flank, but Karthi Selvam could not get his stick there for the tap-in. In response, Argentina made it 4-0 in their ninth penalty corner of the evening, Marcucci finding the ball after a scramble and finishing from close range.
It was Hardik Singh who scored the first goal for India, using a free goal in the 50th minute to expertly position himself and guide the ball towards goal. Lalage seized the opportunity to etch his name onto the scoresheet with a quick deflection. Minutes before the final whistle, India were awarded a penalty and Sanjay stepped up to finish calmly and reduce the margin to 4-2.
The Indian men’s hockey team will be back in action on February 21 when they take on Spain in Hobart in the Australian leg of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025-26.