Cuba held Argentina to a two-goal differential for 40 minutes of play before eventually wearing and conceding a 9-0 loss to the Leones. Six goals in the second half helped Argentina go undefeated in pool- play and secure the top of Pool A.

Cuba came out with nothing to lose and they showed their improvements through this tournament, keeping pace with Argentina. It was Cuba who earned the first penalty corner of the game in the opening minutes and it was made even more interesting when Agustin Mazzilli was sent back for breaking early. Carlos Consuegra’s flick was turned away by the Argentina defence.

Argentina earned a penalty corner in the 11^th minute and Jose Tolini flicked the ball effortlessly in the net to lift Argentina 1-0. Another penalty corner at the end of the quarter allowed Lucas Martinez to follow up on a rebound and lift Argentina 2-0.

A scoreless second quarter was indicative of how well Cuba was playing in both ends of the pitch. Consuegra and  Félix Mena combined for several runs, while miss traps and inaccurate passes troubled the Argentina rhythm.

In the third quarter Cuba again found a way to disrupt the usual dribbling grace of Argentina. Darian Valero and Wilfredo Sanchez were superb at poke checking numerous shot attempts from the Leones. Cuba had another penalty corner chance to start the half but Maikel Tritzant’s flick was turned away by Vivaldi.

In the 34^th minute Argentina’s Tolini drag flick was saved by a sliding Yendry Delgado who subbed in for Hernandez the second half. The rebound fell to Ignacio Ortiz whose chip shot was saved by the stick of Delgado in miraculous fashion.

Argentina found their third goal in the 40^th minute. Juan Lopez sent a smashing ball across the top of the circle and Federico Fernandez turned to his back hand and fired in a third goal. Lucas Martinez added a fourth on a solo effort as he muscled his way through Delgado.

In the 45^th minute Tolini added another flick, his fifth of the tournament, to make it 5-0 for Argentina. Agustin Mazzilli, Nicolas Keenan and Maico Casella added goals in the fourth quarter to seal an 9-0 victory for Argentina. Cuba put on an impressive performance against Argentina, ranked 65 spots higher in the world rankings at No. 4 but it was not enough to shake the defending Olympic champions.