Hockey World Cup 2018 highlights: New Zealand beat France 2-1; Spain lose

In today's first match, Argentina beat Spain 4-3 in a goal fest. In the second match, New Zealand beat France 2-1.

8:24 PM

NEW ZEALAND beat FRANCE 2-1

8:21 PM

France get a penalty corner. and a GOAL!!! France will be delighted. No, a mistake. Ball was stopped inside the circle. Goal not given. NO NO. It has been added to the Fracne total. The goal stands. Lot of confusion.

8:15 PM

Less than 5 mins to go. And here is a goal by New Zealand. JENNESS scores in 56th minute. 

8:12 PM

France have a penalty corner. What a pathetic miss there by France. THey will regret this. Another chance awarded. Missed again. Kiwi defence too strong for France to penetrate.

8:10 PM

There was an opportunity for New Zealand to score. How did they miss that? There was no one at the goal post except the keeper. 

8:08 PM

Two white shits marking each Kiwi forward. This is really brilliant strategy

8:07 PM

Less than 10 minutes to go in the game. France giving it all. Kiwis trying to score again to take definative lead. 

8:05 PM

Amazing stick work by France, good coordination. Just not enough for the ball to find the net. 

8:04 PM

Kiwis trying to up the ante in the final quarter. 

8:02 PM

Quarter 4 begins

8:00 PM

Quarter 3 ends. 

7:57 PM

Seems Kiwis are taking things at a little ease. Long passes, clearing the ball. And French are doing all they can to gain the ball possession. 

7:54 PM

Finally, France have a penalty corner. Poor miss by France here. The stroke rebounded from the pads of keeper and no player could hit it again. 

7:52 PM

The good thing to see in this half is the way the French are trying and suceeding in stealing the ball from Kiwis. However, they need to improve on the coordination in the circle. 

7:50 PM

The French side look far better in the second half. Better dribbling of the ball and passing. 

7:48 PM

There was a chance for France to score but luck didn't side with them. Missed by a whisker. 

7:46 PM

France fighting for ball possession. Circle penetration by French. They should have tried to gain a penalty corner

7:44 PM

Quarter 3 begins

7:34 PM

Quarter 2 ends

7:33 PM

29th minute: Green card for Kane Russell

7:32 PM

2 minutes left in the second quarter as France look to score on counter attack

7:27 PM

24th minute: A brilliant defense from France 

7:22 PM

19th minute: New Zealand 1 | 0 France

(photo: www.worldcup2018.hockey)

7:21 PM

16th minute: New Zealand take the lead as Russell targets the far-post

7:18 PM

Quarter 2 begins

7:18 PM

AFTER FIRST QUARTER: New Zealand 0 | 0 France

(photo: www.worldcup2018.hockey)

7:16 PM

15th minute: A brilliant cross from Francois Goyet, Clement did get the stick but fails to see the ball to the target

7:14 PM

2 minutes left in the first quarter

7:10 PM

9th minute: New Zealand are controlling the game well and holding the ball for long periods of time. A couple of great touches towards goal. The French goalkeeper has so far been up to the challenge.

7:07 PM

5th minute: The first 5 minutes remain goalless the both teams concentration on long passes