Lacklustre England let foot off the pedal in defeat to Spain

ENGLAND'S 100 per cent record at the Hockey World Cup is over after they took their foot of the pedal against Spain and slipped to a 2-0 defeat in Delhi.

AFTERNOON SIESTA: Adam Dixon battles with Spain's Pol Amat as England lose their 100 per cent record in Delhi (Grant Treeby Images/EHB)

Having already qualified for the semi-finals, European champions England provided little threat to the Spanish goal as strikes from Pau Quemada and Eduard Tubau saw the Olympic silver medallists ease to victory.

Spain held slim hopes of a semi final place in Delhi, but after Australia recovered from 1-0 down to beat Pakistan 2-1, they had to settle for third place in the pool and a fifth/sixth place playoff.

Meanwhile, Australia's win propels the world number two team to the top of the pool and leaves England with the prospect of taking on the Pool A winners in the last four.

And while something can be said for reserving your energy for the semi final, head coach Jason Lee will be hoping for a return to the intensity that saw England past their previous four pool opponents.

England had their chances in Delhi, but never looked desperate to grab the opening goal and instead, it was Quemada who broke the deadlock, scooping a penalty corner home with a minute until half time.

Richard Alexander had the ball in the net for England just after the break but the Surbiton striker had converted Jonty Clarke's cross with his body rather than stick and was penalised.

As the second half wore on, England looked less and less likely to equalise as Spain pressed hard to add to their total.

Juan Lainz Abaitua brought a fine save out of England goalkeeper James Fair with seven minutes left before Tubau exchanged a neat one-two with Quemada and slotted home.

In the final match in Pool B, hosts India and South Africa played out a 3-3 draw to finish fourth and fifth respectively in the group.

England will play their semi final on Thursday, March 11.