Defending champions India beat European giants Belgium by a solitary goal to progress to the semi-finals of the FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup at the Kalinga Stadium here on Wednesday.

India, who beat Belgium 2-1 in the final en route to their title triumph in the last edition in Lucknow in 2016, continued their domination over the European side in junior hockey.

Shardananad Tiwari’s penalty corner conversion in the 21st minute was enough for India to seal their place in the last four. The match was a classic example of defensive class from both sides but the Indians did just enough to edge past their opponents.

India will take on last edition’s bronze medallist Germany in the semi-finals on Friday.

Six-time champions Germany beat Spain 3-1 in the shoot-out after both teams were locked 2-2 in regulation time. Argentina and France are the other countries to progess into the semi-finals.

The Belgians started aggressively and created pressure on the Indian defence in the first few minutes. But the Indian back line produced good men-to-men marking and stayed calm under pressure to deny Belgium.

India’s first scoring chance came just seconds from the first quarter through Uttam Singh, but his effort was kept at bay by Belgium goalkeeper Boris Feldheim.