Their 3-1 defeat to co-hosts Netherlands has left them bottom of the pool with no points and a -4 goal difference, making Monday’s clash at the Wagener Stadium a genuine do-or-die encounter.

Netherlands currently top Pool E with six points, while Argentina and England sit on three each. Argentina’s impressive 3-1 win over England has made India’s task considerably tougher. To finish in the top two, India must beat Argentina by a significant margin while hoping England lose to the Netherlands.

A three-goal Indian victory would leave India and Argentina level on three points, but England would also need to suffer at least a two-goal defeat for India to move ahead on goal difference. A four-goal win would provide India with a more favourable scenario, as any England defeat would then be enough to put them through. An England draw, however, would take them to four points and end India’s hopes.

The challenge is clear: India must find goals. Captain Harmanpreet Singh has delivered six times and remains among the tournament’s leading scorers, but the forwards have struggled to contribute consistently. Abhishek has two goals and Dilpreet Singh one, highlighting India’s reliance on their captain.

Chief coach Craig Fulton has acknowledged the equation, stressing the need for goals while maintaining structure. Against a confident Argentina side, India will need both attacking efficiency and discipline to keep their World Cup campaign alive.