PERTH, Nov 28: A ruthless Argentina punished Germany to claim a 1-0 victory and maintain their 100 per cent record at the women’s hockey World Cup here Tuesday.

The Argentines, the favourites for the title in the eyes of many, secured their third win of Pool A with a late goal six minutes from time by Mercedes Margolot, playing in her 100th match.

Margolot scored from a penalty corner to put Argentina on course for the semi-finals and to leave Germany facing elimination.

Defeat was a bitter pill for the Germans, who had seen Natascha Keller and Heike Latzsch work tirelessly in attack to put Argentina’s goal under pressure.

Keller saw several shots saved by last-ditch Argentinian defending, with keeper Mariela Antoniska outstanding for the South American powerhouses.

At the other end Argentina also had their chances but were kept at bay by Germany’s stopper Birgit Beyer, as both sides served up the best match of the tournament so far.

Karina Masotta was Argentina’s most effective player of the first half, making interceptions and moving the ball forward through the left side.

Argentina clearly missed ace striker, Vanina Oneto, who is still recovering from a broken bone in her right hand, sustained in the first match against New Zealand.

In earlier matches, Scotland upset New Zealand 2-1 and Ukraine surprisingly drew with Asian Games champions South Korea 2-2.

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