Pro League 2025-26: Tom Boon inspires Belgium’s comeback win over Argentina

Belgium rode on three strikes from Tom Boon and two penalty strokes to come back from a two-goal early deficit and win 5-3 against Argentina in the opening game of the FIH Pro League here on Tuesday.

Argentina, which got all three of its goals in the first half and through penalty corners, appeared to have the upper hand with an attacking game early on, pushing Belgium to the back-foot and taking it by surprise but the Belgians gradually regrouped, pushing ahead one short pass at a time.

Tomas Domene struck the first blow for Argentina in the second minute and Nicolas della Torre doubled it seven minutes later. Boon was the key to Belgium’s hopes and the veteran, fresh off his success as the top-scorer in the Hockey India League, continued his momentum with a cheeky overhead shot into the net four seconds from the end of first quarter to reduce the margin.

A third PC in the 24th minute made it 3-1 to Argentina but Belgium was clawing back into the game by then. Its attacks became more frequent, the flanks opened up and the Belgians, playing with black armbands as a mark of respect for Thibeau Stockbroekx’s father, were only denied by an acrobatic Tomas Santiago in the goal.

There was only so much he could do, however, against a superior side that kept finding ways to penalise an erratic defence with Boon deservedly rounding off the scoring with a penalty stroke two minutes from time.

Published on Feb 10, 2026