Argentina End Netherlands’ Reign, Win Women’s Hockey World Cup in Shootout

Argentina produced a memorable night of redemption, defeating hosts Netherlands 3-1 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation time to win their third Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup title on Saturday.

The victory ended the Netherlands’ remarkable run of four consecutive World Cup titles and gave Argentina revenge for their defeats in the 2022 World Cup final and the Tokyo Olympics gold-medal match, both of which the Dutch won 3-1.

The final appeared to be heading in the Netherlands’ favour when star drag-flicker Yibbi Jansen broke the deadlock in the 30th minute. The Dutch had earned their first penalty corner just before the interval, and Jansen unleashed a powerful drag flick for her eighth goal of the tournament.

Argentina, however, refused to surrender. After creating several opportunities in the second half, they finally found their breakthrough in the 54th minute.

Captain Maria Granatto converted Argentina’s eighth penalty corner, pouncing on a rebound after goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal slipped while attempting to make the save. The equaliser sent the final into a tense shootout.

Argentina then showed remarkable composure under pressure. Victoria Granatto, Brisa Bruggesser and Sofia Cairo converted their attempts, while Netherlands' Pien Sanders and Felice Albers missed. Marijn Veen was the only Dutch player to score.

Argentina's Zoe Diaz had a goal disallowed following a referral, but it did little to alter the outcome as Las Leonas completed their historic triumph.

Argentina had previously lifted the World Cup in 2002 and 2010, both times defeating the Netherlands in the final. Their latest success therefore carried an added sense of revenge.

Earlier, Belgium defeated Australia 1-0 in the third-place playoff to secure the bronze medal.

For the Netherlands, the defeat brought an abrupt end to a dominant era. The nine-time champions had entered the final dreaming of a fifth successive crown, but Argentina’s resilience and composure ultimately rewrote the script.