India 2-3 Germany Highlights, Paris Olympics Semi-Final: IND Lose Humdinger; To Fight For Bronze

The second semi-final of the men's hockey event is slated to begin at 10:30pm IST. The first semi-final between Netherlands and Spain was comprehensively won by the Dutch, and India will be looking to join them in the final. (Streaming | Prediction | Full Coverage)

India got into the semi-finals by virtue of pipping Great Britain in the quarter-finals in a tense penalty shootout. It has been a strong campaign from Craig Fulton's wards so far. They beat Australia for the first time in 52 years, and also overcame Ireland and New Zealand before that. Harmanpreet Singh and Co drew Argentina 1-1, and lost to defending champions Belgium 1-2.

India's ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat is about to take the mat for her women's 50kg semi-final bout against Cuba's Yusneylys Guzman. Win this, and Phogat will be guaranteed her first-ever Olympics medal in three appearances. She had earlier beaten Japanese legend and reigning champion Yui Susaki in one of the most stunning upsets in Games history.

Back at the Yves du Manoir Stadium, the high-voltage semi-final is about to begin. The Indian team are in a huddle and appear charged up. Remember, Amit Rohidas is not playing today due to a one-match suspension.

India earn a penalty corner in the second minute! Hardik Singh ready for the injection, and Harmanpreet Singh waiting for the drag-flick.

Harmanpreet is denied by the German goalie at first go, but India earn another penalty corner via Hardik's brilliance. But this one, too, amounts to nought.

Another penalty corner for India. Harmanpreet's shot catches the first runner and India get a re-award.

Harmanpreet scores! The Indian captain converts the sixth PC as his drag-flick takes a runner's deflection and flies in to the goalie's right. India draw first blood.

That's the end of a scintillating first quarter. India have been red-hot, with Hardik and Mandeep both leading the charge with purposeful runs and creating PC, field-goal opportunities. India need to sustain this momentum for the next 45 minutes.

Gonzalo Peillat scores! The German drag-flick expert returns the favour to India, who are sucker-punched after doing everything right in the minutes preceding the goal. Peillat converts the PC with consummate ease, and Germany are now on level terms with India.

Christopher Ruhr scores! Another penalty corner for Germany. Peillat drills it to the left of Sreejesh, and the shot catches Jarmanpreet's foot in the goal-line. Penalty stroke for Germany, and Ruhr makes no mistake. He goes to Sreejesh's right and the venomous shot is low and too powerful for the Indian goalie to save. Germany go ahead with back-to-back goals in the second quarter.

The second quarter ends with Germany in the lead. It has been a dramatic turnaround in the last 10 minutes or so, as the Germans have capitalized on two PCs to undo the early damage caused by Harmanpreet, Hardik and Mandeep.

Still 30 minutes of play to go, however, and India can bounce back. Onus on Harmanpreet to increase his conversion percentage - India have converted just one of seven PCs, while Germany have converted one of two and scored off a penalty stroke to boot.

Germany goalkeeper Danneberg thwarts Harmanpreet. Another penalty corner for India and after an obstruction and re-award, the India skipper's rasping strike is parried beautifully by Danneberg. The stray ball lands in front of Hardik, whose shot goes wide of the far post. India miss a huge chance to equalize, early in the third quarter.

Sukhjeet scores! India earn their 12th penalty corner. Can they draw level finally? Yes, they can! Harmanpreet's drag-flick is met by a Sukhjeet interception this time and the deflection does the trick. India equalize courtesy a variation in their usual PC routine.

The final seconds of the third quarter see India going the aerial route to try and sneak in another goal. But the hooter rings out before the move gains potency, and we are all squared up, going into the last 15 minutes.

Sensational goal-line block by Sanjay! The fourth and final quarter begins in pulsating fashion and Germany earn a penalty corner despite Harmanpreet's review. The Germans looked destined to go into the lead, when Sanjay put his stick into the way of goal and keeps India afloat.

India avert a Germany attack with some world-class defending. First, Sreejesh saves the drag-flick off a PC and then Harmanpreet with a smart, timely clearance gets the ball out of the danger zone.

Marco Miltkau scores! Germany go ahead with six minutes to go. Miltkau with a deft touch at the goalmouth sends the ball in, and India now under the pump.

Sreejesh leaves the goalpost as India go all out in the quest of another equalizer.

What an end to the match. India continue to look for the equalizer till the very last second, and they get a genuine shot at goal. Shamsher has a clear chance to score but his strike goes over the bar. India go down fighting in one of the most thrilling matches of the Olympics so far.

With that, the Indian team's dream of a ninth Olympic gold medal is dashed. They wanted to gift the retiring Sreejesh a fitting farewell in the form of a historic gold, but will now have to fight it out for bronze instead.

India will vie for third place against Spain, who lost to Netherlands in the other semi-final. The bronze medal match is scheduled for August 8 at 5:30pm IST. The gold medal match, between the Germans and Dutch, will be played at 10:30pm IST on the same day.

Here's what former India captain Viren Rasquinha has to say (on Sports 18) after India's heart-breaking loss in the semi-final: "First of all, want to laud the performance of this Indian team today. They fought like crazy to the end. The PCs conversion weren't great but that was a great game of hockey. Sometimes sport is just heartbreaking. They gave it their all and they have to get ready for the bronze medal match."