The result means they earn the best possible draw even if they lose their final Group D match to bottom side Saudi Arabia, who were beaten 32-13 by Poland.

While a draw would have been enough to assure Germany their progress, they took no chances, fielding their strongest seven from the start.

It proved to be a wise decision as the Argentinians put them under huge pressure, finishing the first half 14-13 up.

But Germany finished the stronger side, with right wing Patrick Groetzki earning the adidas man-of-the-match award as he top scored for his team with seven goals.

Meanwhile, Sweden lost their 100 per cent record as they were held to a 25-25 draw by Egypt in a Group C match that ended with tempers running high in front of a fervent 7,000 crowd in Doha's Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena.

The players of Sweden and Egypt acknowledge the applause from 7,000 spectators in Doha after staging a thrilling 25-25 draw in Group C ©Qatar 2015


Another inspired performance from Egypt's keeper Karim Hendawy prevented Sweden from pulling away in the first half, and in the second the African side surged to a 24-20 lead with eight minutes remaining.

It looked all over - but five successive goals put the Swedes back in the lead, 25-24, with two minutes remaining.

In a final twist, however, adidas man-of-the-match Ahmed El Ahmar produced a final equaliser, which also guaranteed his side a place in the last 16.

Another inspired goalkeeping performance, from Petr Stochl, helped the Czech Republic to a win over Iceland, which means they can claim the fourth and final qualifying place in Group C if they beat the African champions, Algeria, in their final match and Iceland lost to Egypt.

Denmark, one of the four top seeds in Qatar, secured their passage to the final 16 with a 31-28 win over Russia, who must now contest the final qualifying place with their next opponents, Argentina.

Earlier in the day, Bosnia and Herzegovina's Nikola Prce was suspended by the tournament's Disciplinary Committee for three matches for "unsportsmanlike behaviour" during yesterday's 27-24 defeat by Tunisia.

His national handball federation was also fined.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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