Champions Trophy Hockey: Argentina Stun European Giants Germany

Argentina condemned Olympic gold-medallists Germany to their second loss in three games with an emphatic 3-0 victory in the Champions Trophy field hockey tournament in India on Tuesday.

Skipper Matias Paredes, Joaquin Menini and Ignacio Ortiz scored for the Pan-American champions, who ended the preliminary league with two wins and one defeat in pool B of the eight-nation competition in Bhubaneswar.

Paredes said he wanted his team to maintain the momentum when the knock-out phase starts on Thursday.

"This win was very satisfying because we kept them under pressure throughout the game and converted the chances that came our way," he said. "We don't want to lose this momentum."

A disappointed German captain Tobias Hauke hoped his young team would perform better in the matches to come.

"We did not play as well as we can, but all is not lost yet," Hauke said. "We are determined to do better in the quarter-finals and hope we can win that game and make the semis."

Meanwhile, England and Belgium played out a 1-1 draw to remain the only unbeaten teams in pool A that also includes five-time defending champions Australia and Pakistan.

Amaury Keusters put the Belgians ahead in the ninth minute with a powerful backhand hit, but Iain Lewers drew level in the fourth quarter with a similar shot from the top of the circle.

England topped the pool with two wins and a draw, while Belgian ensured themselves the second spot with one victory and two draws.

All eight teams will also be involved in the quarter-finals.