Hockey: Black Sticks crash out of World Cup

Noel Barrionuevo of Argentina celebrates scoring the opening goal from a penalty stroke. Photo / Getty

New Zealand's World Cup hopes are over, beaten 2-0 by Argentina in their elimination game in London today.

The world No 4-ranked team could have few complaints.

After the first half had been pretty even, with chances at both ends, Argentina, ranked No 3, gradually took charge through the second half and will meet Australia in the quarter-finals.

They retained possession better than the Black Sticks, who were guilty of frittering away the ball too easily.

New Zealand had one piece of misfortune six minutes before halftime on which, arguably, the game turned.

Goalkeeper Grace O'Hanlon made a fine block at a penalty corner but lost a glove, which freakishly landed on the ball, leading to a penalty stroke. That was converted by Noel Barrionuevo.

New Zealand had missed scoring chances, through Shiloh Gloyn, in front of an open goal, Maddy Doar and Kelsey Smith.

But they needed more from senior figures such as captain Stacey Michelsen, key attacker Olivia Merry and busy midfielder Anita McLaren.

The game was effectively decided 11 minutes from the end, when Argentina's world class captain Delphina Merino turned in a cross from close range after a cleverly-worked set piece at a penalty corner.

New Zealand won the Commonwealth Games title on the Gold Coast in April. This was always going to be a stiffer challenge and when they reflect on the tournament will rue their 2-1 loss to the 12th-ranked Japan in their second game.

That hurt their prospects of advancing directly into the last eight.

Argentina have had much the better of their head-to-head matches, this being their 54th win, against 18 by New Zealand, in 89 internationals.