Barry sticks it out
THE scars of England’s brilliant, battling and bruising win over Argentina, the Olympic champions and world No2 side, were plain to see in the jubilant aftermath of their World Cup quarterfinal last night.
Barry Middleton felt the full impact of a thunderous 100mph drag-flick from Gonzalo Peillat on his hand before praising a first victory over Argentina in 20 years as England held their nerve in a World Cup classic.
“It’s a nice feeling, apart from not being able to hold a stick,” said the evergreen Middleton after his 430th international appearance.
This superb victory, secured with goals from Middleton, Will Calnan and Harry Martin, had also atoned for their loss to Argentina in 2014 with a World Cup bronze medal at stake.
“We owed them one for four years ago,” said Middleton. “You’ve got to do the little things people don’t notice.
You have to get hit, block the ball and do the dirty stuff. That’s what wins you the bigger games, not the fancy stuff.”
England will now play the winners of today’s GermanyBelgium quarter-final. Australia, who beat France 3-0, are in the other semi-final against either hosts India or the Netherlands.
Los Leones were slightly fortuitous in taking the lead yesterday after England had the upper hand. Peillat, their best player, stepped up in the 17th minute and drilled his strike past the England goalkeeper George Pinner. Three times England went close after goal-line clearances. But, finally, they took their chance when Middleton slotted low and hard past Juan Vivaldi.
In a lacklustre third quarter, a clear-headed England then sliced the Argentine defence open when Middleton launched an aerial pass forward with seconds left before the hooter.
It found Calnan in acres of space at the top of the circle and, allowing himself one touch, the Hampstead & Westminster forward beat Vivaldi inside his right post.
Soon, Argentina were in the thick of the action with a trio of penalty corners before Peillat beat Pinner again.
England’s crucial third came moments later, via a deflected tackle, which fell into Martin’s path and he slotted home.
Yet the drama was far from over. With two seconds remaining, Peillat drilled in a last-ditch pass, which Pinner saved with his right boot.
The ball bobbled back out to an Argentine stick before the ball ricocheted inches wide of the post.
“It was nervy at the end,” said Middleton. “It’s good to give the ball away at the end sometimes to slow it. But it also gives one set-play to sling it in. The boys were defensively amazing tonight.”