Argentina stun Netherlands to win Women’s Hockey World Cup after shootout drama

Argentina ended the Netherlands’ long-standing dominance of women’s hockey, defeating the co-hosts in a dramatic penalty shootout to win the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup on Saturday.

The final ended 1-1 after regulation time before Argentina held their nerve to win the shootout 3-1, denying the Netherlands a fifth consecutive World Cup title.

The victory was particularly significant for Argentina, who had suffered two major defeats against the Dutch in recent years. The Netherlands beat them 3-1 in the 2022 World Cup final and repeated the result in the gold-medal match at the Tokyo Olympics. Argentina finally turned the tables on the biggest stage to secure their third World Cup crown, following previous triumphs in 2002 and 2010.

The Netherlands took the lead shortly before half-time through Yibbi Jansen. The star drag-flicker converted the Dutch side’s first penalty corner in the final minute of the second quarter to score her eighth goal of the tournament.

Argentina continued to push after the break but struggled to convert their chances from penalty corners. Their persistence eventually paid off in the 54th minute when captain Maria Granatto reacted quickest to a rebound after goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal lost her footing while attempting to keep out Agustina Gorzelany’s flick.

With neither side able to find a winner before the final whistle, the title was decided by a shootout.

Argentina kept their composure from the spot. Victoria Granatto, Brisa Bruggesser and Sofia Cairo converted their attempts, while Zoe Diaz had her effort ruled out following a referral. The Netherlands could manage only one successful attempt through Marijn Veen, with Pien Sanders and Felice Albers missing their chances.

The contest had been tightly fought from the opening quarter, with both defences refusing to give the opposition much room. The Netherlands created some of the early openings through Marleen Jochems and Sanders, but Argentina goalkeeper and defence stood firm.

The Dutch increased the pressure in the second quarter, with Xan de Waard helping to orchestrate attacks. Their persistence finally produced the opening goal when Jansen unleashed another powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner just before the interval.

Argentina emerged from half-time with renewed attacking intent and began putting the Dutch defence under sustained pressure. Gorzelany came close from a penalty corner, while Granatto also had an opportunity after Eugenia Trinchinetti produced a fine run into the circle.

The Netherlands had chances of their own to extend their lead, including a penalty corner in the 50th minute, but Frederique Malta fired wide with Jansen temporarily off the pitch.

Argentina refused to give up and eventually earned their eighth penalty corner. When Gorzelany’s flick was stopped, Granatto reacted quickest to the rebound and sent the final into a shootout.

The triumph brought an end to the Netherlands’ extraordinary World Cup dominance. The nine-time champions had reached the final after overcoming Belgium in the semi-finals, while Argentina defeated Australia to book their place in the title clash.

Belgium later secured the bronze medal with a 1-0 victory over Australia.