11th Match Hockey World Cup 2018 (Men's)

Odisha Hockey World Cup

Bhubaneswar 2018 (Men’s)

ES Vs FRN

Spain  Draw Match With France

 SPAIN                                        1 - 1                      FRANCE

  

 Match Highlights

v France struck early in the contest with Timothee Clement’s goal

v Alvaro Iglesias scored the all-important equalizer in the 4th quarter which proved to be the final goal of game

v Goalkeeper Quick Cortes makes stunning penalty stroke save to deny France the victory

v Spain and France played out a 1-1 draw at the Hockey World Cup

v The draw kept both the teams in the hunt for the knock-out round

v Spain and France now have 1 point each after 2 matches

Bhubaneswar, India: Captain and goalkeeper Quico Cortes was the saving grace as he helped Spain eke out a 1-1 draw against France in a Pool A match of the Hockey World Cup 2018 in Bhubaneswar on Monday.

Cortes came to the rescue with a superb penalty stroke save helping three-time medalist Spain survive a scare against France.

It was France who stunned the Spaniards in the sixth minute when Timothee Clement scored from a field effort. But Spain came back strongly after the change of ends and restored parity in the 48th minute through Alvaro Iglesias' field strike.

It was a battle between world number 8 Spain and the lowest ranked team of the competition France, who are ranked 20th, but it turned out to be a keenly-contested encounter as the Frenchmen gave their opponents a run for their money.

France had a golden opportunity to register their first major upset of the tournament but the Spain skipper Cortes came to his side's rescue.

In the last 10 minutes, France were awarded a penalty stroke because of obstruction in front of the goal by a Spain defender after they went for video referral but Cortes made a brilliant save flying to his right to keep Hugo Genestet's try at bay.

France could not have asked for a better chance to cause the first upset and pocket full three points from the game but was denied by Cortes' brilliance in front of the goal.

The Spaniards had better goal scoring chances but was denied by a stout France defense led by goalkeeper Arthur Thief fry.

Spain got as many as seven penalty corners in the game but failed to breach Thief fry and his defense even once.

Spain had lost 3-4 to Olympic champions Argentina in their tournament opener, while France suffered a 1-2 defeat against New Zealand.

Spain plays New Zealand in their final pool match on December 6, while France will be up against Argentina.