In what will be remembered as one of India's darkest nights in international field hockey, Argentina's Los Leones delivered a masterclass performance to crush the hosts 8-0 in the FIH Men's Hockey Pro League 2025-26 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on February 12, 2026.

Tomas Domene was the star of the evening, netting four goals in the 15th, 20th, 26th, and 60th minutes to lead Argentina's devastating attack. He was ably supported by Tomas Ruiz (14th minute), Lucio Mendez (22nd), Ignacio Ibarra (25th), and Nicolas Della Torre (30th), as the visitors produced a ruthless display that left the Indian defense in tatters.

The match began with India looking composed and assertive. The hosts earned a penalty stroke toward the end of the first quarter, but captain Harmanpreet Singh, one of the most lethal drag-flickers in world hockey, was denied from the spot by Argentina's goalkeeper. That miss proved to be a devastating turning point. Moments later, Ruiz unleashed a powerful tomahawk shot that flew into the back of the net to hand Argentina a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute. Domene doubled the advantage just a minute later, and suddenly the complexion of the match had changed entirely.

What followed was a complete capitulation by the Indian team. Between the 20th and 30th minutes, Argentina scored five more goals as India's defending, communication, and composure fell apart simultaneously. Missed assignments, unattended passes, and a back line with no answer to Argentina's clinical movement inside the circle allowed the visitors to race to a staggering 7-0 lead at halftime. Domene added his fourth in the final minute of the match to complete the rout.

The result was India's second consecutive defeat in the Rourkela leg, following a 1-3 loss to Belgium on February 11. Shilanand Lakra had scored India's lone goal in that match, but it was not enough to prevent the Olympic champions Belgium from asserting their dominance. Nelson Onana, Thomas Crols, and Arno Van Dessel found the net for the Red Lions in that encounter.

Belgium continued their impressive run throughout the Rourkela leg, also defeating Argentina 5-3 on February 10 and beating India again 4-2 on February 14. Alexander Hendrickx led the charge in the rematch with a brace, supported by goals from Hugo Labouchere and Arthur de Sloover.

The dismal results have left India winless with zero points and a goal difference of minus ten after their first matches of the campaign, raising serious questions about the team's preparation and defensive organization heading into the remainder of the season.

Meanwhile, in Hobart, Australia, the women's competition saw Argentina's Las Leonas produce an equally dominant week. They swept all four of their matches without conceding a single goal in regulation time against the hosts, defeating Ireland 5-0 and 2-1, and beating Australia 1-0 and 3-0 to stake their claim as the team to beat in the women's Pro League.

The FIH Pro League continues with more legs scheduled across the globe in the coming weeks, but for India, the focus must now shift to damage control and rebuilding confidence after a humbling week on home soil.