Raipur: Gonzalo Peillat scored a double for the third match in succession as Argentina defeated Olympic champions Germany 3-1, guaranteeing a second place finish in Pool B at the Hero Hockey World League Final 2015 in Raipur, India.

Finishing second in the Pool means that Argentina will face the team that finishes third in Pool A in the quarter-finals. Germany finished third in Pool B, and will take on the second place finisher from Pool A.

Los Leones took the lead thanks to Peillat’s 17th minute penalty corner before Niklas Wellen restored parity ahead of half time.

There was a moment of drama in the third quarter when Argentina’s Joaquin Menini was brought down by Germany goalkeeper Nico Jacobi, who was subsequently yellow carded. Remarkably, the resulting penalty stroke was brilliantly saved by substitute keeper Andreas Späck, who dived to his right to deny Juan Gilardi.

Two goals in two fourth quarter minutes settled the contest, with Matias Paredes pouncing from close range ahead of another Peillat penalty corner.

Speaking after the match, Germany’s Oliver Korn said: “We are quite disappointed. It is always tough to play against Argentina. We didn’t defend so well today. For us it doesn’t matter who we play in the quarter-final, we just want to win the next game, but more importantly use the matches to develop as a team and get better.”

Argentina goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi, who played his 200th international match today, said: “We are very proud of this game. After the result against the Netherlands the other day our goal was to make a similar game against a tough German team, and I think we played very smart, very solid and were very effective in the circle. Today was a special day for me, and I really enjoyed the game.”

Hero Man of the Match: Gonzalo Peillat (ARG)