Hockey has no “own goal” rule but Argentina’s late match-winner against the Netherlands was very much one even though credit for it goes to Franco Agostini.

The 2-1 quarterfinal win in the 2021 FIH Men’s Junior World Cup at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday by the 2005 champions brought them a place in Friday’s semi-final against Germany who beat Spain in a shootout.

Agostini’s match-winner came inadvertently with a cross while trying to find Bautista Capurro but which took a deflection off Sheldon Schouten’s stick and flew into the Dutch net.

With less than two minutes left on the clock, it was the killer blow to The Netherlands, aspiring and looking good for their maiden title.

The Dutch now duel for the 5-8 positions, not the zone they were expected to find themselves in after impressive performances in the pool matches.

For Argentina, coached by former star midfielder Lucas Rey, the dream is still on.

Argentina shot ahead in the 24th minute through Joaquin Kruger with a touch near the line from a free hit well outside the circle.

But Miles Bukken, who leads the goal scorer’s list with 12 goals, equalized in the next minute with a penalty corner drag-flick – his fourth from the set-piece in the tournament.

The Dutch, who forced five penalty corners, looked the better side right through the third quarter and were presented an opportunity to drive home the advantage when Ignacio Ibarra picked up a yellow card during that session.

But The Netherlands, three times World Cup winners at senior level, were themselves penalized with a yellow card to David Huussen to level things up and Argentina came back strongly.

The South Americans qualified for the tournament after an unaccustomed finish in the Pan Am Cup in Santiago, Chile, where they lost to the hosts in a shootout in the final.

That defeat denied them a 12th successive title but they came to Bhubaneswar with a resolve to go far.

A strong defensive unit, Argentina went toe-to-toe with The Netherlands who never were really allowed to display the effervescence of their inter-play that normally prises open deep defences.

Player of the match Tadeo Marcucci strove manfully at the centre of the Argentine citadel, buoyed by Nehuen Hernando’s heroics in goal as the encounter seemed to be heading to the shootout like the first quarterfinal.

With 59 minutes gone by, Agostini entered the left edge of the circle and flicked the ball, trying to to find Capurro who was closely marked by Sheldon. To everyone’s surprise, especially the bewildered Dutch, the ball ended up in the net to bring on Argentine celebration.