Argentina Avenge Previous Final Defeat to Crown Themselves Women’s Hockey World Champions

Argentina defeated the Netherlands 3-1 in a penalty shootout to win the Women’s Hockey World Cup, ending the Dutch team’s hopes of securing a fourth consecutive title. The victory gave Argentina its third World Cup crown and helped the team avenge its defeat to the Netherlands in the previous edition.
Argentina had lost 3-1 to the Netherlands in the last World Cup. The South American side had previously won the title in 2002 and 2010, defeating the Dutch team on both occasions. The Netherlands, nine-time champions, missed the opportunity to lift the trophy for a 10th time.
In the penalty shootout, Victoria Granatto, Brisa Bruggesser and Sofia Cairo scored for Argentina. Diaz Jo’s attempt was disallowed. For the Netherlands, only Marin found the net, while Pien Sanders, Felice Albers and Moes Freeke failed to convert their attempts.
The Netherlands took the lead in the 30th minute through drag-flick specialist Yibbi Jansen. Her goal came from the team’s first penalty corner, awarded in the final minute before the half-time break. It was Jansen’s eighth goal of the tournament.
Argentina continued to press after the break and created several opportunities from penalty corners. The team eventually equalised in the 54th minute when captain Maria Granatto scored from a rebound following Argentina’s eighth penalty corner, taking the final into a shootout.
The opening 15 minutes had been closely contested, with both teams attempting to assess their opponents. The Netherlands launched their first attack in the eighth minute, but no player was available to control the ball delivered into the circle by Marlin Jochems. Two minutes later, Pien Sanders entered the circle, but Argentina’s defenders cleared the danger.
Early in the second quarter, Dutch veteran Jan de Waard, playing her 252nd match, advanced with the ball and delivered a pass to Marin. However, Marin could not control it. The Netherlands eventually broke the deadlock through Jansen’s drag-flick just before the interval.
Argentina earned its first penalty corner in the 33rd minute after the restart but failed to score. Two minutes later, captain Maria Granatto won another penalty corner after being obstructed in the circle, but Dutch goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal made the save.
Argentina maintained its attacking pressure in the final stages of the third quarter and earned two consecutive penalty corners in the last two minutes. However, Agustina Gorzelany was unable to make the most of either opportunity, with her trapping and shot lacking the required quality.
Argentina ultimately prevailed in the shootout to secure its third Women’s Hockey World Cup title and deny the Netherlands another championship.