England reach World Cup semi-final
A ricocheting ball that fell inches wide of George Pinner’s post proved the final act in a breathless encounter last night, a 3-2 victory leaving England within sight of a first World Cup final for 36 years after ousting Argentina, the Olympic champions.
Argentina finished the quarterfinal with nine men but still caused England late anguish as composure briefly deserted Danny Kerry’s side in the final throes of an otherwise disciplined display.
Goals from Barry Middleton, Will Calnan and Harry Martin also paved the way for a first England win over Argentina for 20 years, but two penalty-corner strikes from danger man Gonzalo Peillat kept this tie alive to the final hooter.
“If you look at their ages and caps profile, with Peillat too, that is a big scalp. I’m really proud of the boys,” said Kerry, the England coach. “You could say I was anxious for the last five minutes.”
It finished with Middleton, their brilliant 34-year-old, nursing a bruised hand after being hit by a Peillat drag flick as he valiantly tried to stop his 100mph shot.
Once Peillat had beaten Pinner with an opening 17th-minute corner strike, Middleton, in his 430th international, proved himself the master of the midfield and glided into the circle to hit low across Juan Vivaldi’s goal into the net.
With the end of the third quarter looming, he then exploited the Argentina back lines with a pinpoint aerial pass to send Calnan into the circle, and his shot across goal beat Vivaldi.
The final quarter started at a canter as Peillat equalised when Pinner failed to clear. With the next move came England’s pivotal third as the ball looped into the path of the onrushing Martin, who calmly slotted home. Argentina opted for a kicking back late on and England weathered the storm until four seconds remaining.
Peillat slung in a desperate last pass, Pinner’s save found an Argentina stick on the rebound before the ball slid wide.
“You have to get hit, block the ball and do the dirty stuff,” said Middleton. “That’s what wins you bigger games, not the fancy stuff.”
England’s semi-final opponents on Saturday will be decided tonight when Belgium and Germany meet.