NEW DELHI: Lucas Vila scored two goals as Argentina downed hosts India 4-2 to take seventh place in the 12-nation men’s field hockey World Cup on Friday.

The South Americans, who had not lost a World Cup match to India since 1978, continued their domination of the former champions in the play-off for the 7th-8th positions.

Argentina led 1-0 at half-time through a fourth-minute goal by Tomas Argento, before Sandeep Singh convered a penalty stroke to draw level seven minutes into the second session.

Vila and Facundo Callioni pumped in three goals in four minutes to make it 4-1, a margin that proved beyond India’s reach despite a goal from Shivendra Singh.

Argentina had finished 10th and India 11th in the previous World Cup in Germany in 2006.