Argentina defeated the Netherlands 3-1 in a penalty shootout on Saturday to win the Women’s Hockey World Cup, ending the Dutch team’s bid for a fourth consecutive title.
The victory also allowed Argentina to avenge its defeat in the previous World Cup final and secure its third World Cup crown. Argentina had earlier won the title in 2002 and 2010, defeating the Netherlands on both occasions.
The Netherlands, nine-time champions, missed the opportunity to claim a record-extending 10th title.
Argentina’s Victoria Granatto, Brisa Bruggesser and Sofia Cairo scored in the shootout. Diaz Jo’s attempt was disallowed. For the Netherlands, only Marijn scored, while Pien Sanders, Felice Albers and Moes Freeke missed their attempts.
The Netherlands opened the scoring in the 30th minute through Yibbi Jansen, widely regarded for her drag-flicking ability. Argentina earned eight penalty corners during the match and finally converted its eighth opportunity when captain Maria Granatto scored from a rebound in the 54th minute to level the contest and force a shootout.
The opening 15 minutes remained evenly contested, with both teams looking to assess each other. The Netherlands created the first attacking opportunity in the eighth minute when Marijn Jochems sent the ball into the circle, but no Dutch player was there to make the final connection.
Two minutes later, Pien Sanders entered the circle again, but Argentina’s defenders managed to clear the danger.
Early in the second quarter, experienced Dutch player Janne de Waard, playing her 252nd international match, moved forward with the ball and delivered a good pass to Marijn. However, Marijn could not control it.
Just before the interval, the Netherlands earned their first penalty corner. Jansen converted it with a drag flick in the final minute before the break, scoring her eighth goal of the tournament and giving the Dutch side the lead.
Argentina earned its first penalty corner in the 33rd minute after the break but could not convert it. The Argentine side continued to press and won another penalty corner two minutes later after captain Maria Granatto was obstructed inside the circle. Dutch goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal made the save.
Argentina continued to create pressure late in the third quarter and earned two consecutive penalty corners in the final two minutes. However, Agustina Gorzelany’s trapping and subsequent shots lacked the required strength, and neither opportunity resulted in a goal.
With the scores level after regulation time, the final was decided by a penalty shootout, where Argentina prevailed 3-1 to lift the Women’s Hockey World Cup for the third time.