A dramatic day in Amsterdam also saw hosts The Netherlands squander a two goal advantage as Germany snatched a late draw with two goals in the final three minutes of play.

In Pool A, England moved to the top of the table after claiming their second win of the event by beating Belgium.

England took a fourth minute lead courtesy of a penalty stroke from Zachary Wallace.

Tom Boon levelled for Belgium a minute later with a second penalty stroke before the crucial goal from Liam Ansell, with his field goal just after the half-hour mark proving the winner.

The victory puts England top as they are the only unbeaten side in the pool, and now sit on six points.

In the other game in the pool, Spain ran out emphatic 5-1 winners against Russia.

Xavi Lleonart gave Spain the lead inside the first ten minutes with a penalty stroke, before three field goals in four minutes from Vicenc Ruiz, Pau Quemada and Joan Tarres put Spain in complete control.

A penalty corner in the 33^rd minute from Quemada made it 5-0 to Spain before Semen Matkovskiy pulled a goal back for Russia, who now sit bottom of the pool after losing both of their games so far.

In men’s Pool B two goals in the final three minutes helped Germany snatch an unlikely point against The Netherlands.

Seve van Ass gave the Dutch an early lead from a penalty corner on five minutes before Thierry Brinkman doubled the advantage with a field goal with 15 minutes to go.

Germany secured an unlikely draw as a penalty stroke from Christopher Ruhr in the 58^th minute followed by a penalty corner from Lukas Windfeder a minute later made it 2-2.

Following the dramatic draw, Germany and The Netherlands both sit on four points in the pool, with the Germans top on goal difference.

In the women’s competition, Pool B got underway today with the opening two matches, beginning with England registering a comfortable 4-0 victory over Italy.

England’s strikes came courtesy of Sarah Evans, Jo Hunter, Catherine De Ledesma and Elena Rayer and were all field goals.

The other game in the pool was between Germany and Belgium with the spoils shared 1-1 following two late field goals.

Cecile Pieper gave Germany the lead on 53 minutes before Ambre Ballenghien levelled for Belgium two minutes later.

After the opening round of results England top the pool with three points.