Argentina beats Netherlands in shoot-out to win Women's Hockey World Cup

Jansen breaks the deadlock

The Netherlands women's national field hockey team faced Argentina on Saturday at the Wagener Stadion in Amstelveen in a rematch of the 2022 World Cup final. The Dutch side entered the match seeking a fourth consecutive world title in their eighth straight World Cup final appearance. During the first quarter, forward Pien Dicke found herself in shooting range twice, but Argentinian goalkeeper Cristina Cosentino blocked an initial one-on-one attempt and turned away a subsequent tip-in. Argentina captain María Granatto received a two-minute suspension in the second quarter, though the Dutch offense generated few clear chances with the temporary player advantage. In the final minute of the first half, the Netherlands earned their first penalty corner of the game, which Yibbi Jansen converted with a drag-flick into the corner of the net for her eighth goal of the tournament.

Argentina levels through Granatto

Argentina increased attacking pressure in the second half, earning a series of penalty corners while Cosentino saved another early drag-flick attempt from Jansen. Poor trapping at the top of the circle initially prevented Argentinian drag-flick specialist Agustina Gorzelany from releasing direct shots on several attempts. Dutch goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal turned aside one shot during this spell of South American pressure, but Argentina continued to control possession through midfield. In the fourth quarter, Argentina converted their eighth penalty corner of the second half when María Granatto directed the ball into the net to tie the score at 1-1. The Dutch side mounted late attacks, including an opportunity where Guusje Freeke lost control of the ball, sending the match into a shoot-out.

Decisive shoot-out in Amstelveen

The shoot-out series began with Dutch shooter Pien Sanders missing her opening attempt, followed by Victoria Granatto scoring to give Argentina an immediate 1-0 advantage. Felice Albers failed to convert the second attempt for the Netherlands, while Brisa Bruggesser Miranda scored to extend Argentina's lead to 2-0. Marijn Veen reduced the deficit by scoring the third Dutch attempt, and Argentina's third attempt by Zoe Díaz was subsequently disallowed after she touched the ball with the rounded side of the stick. With the score at 2-1, Freeke Moes missed her fourth-round attempt for the Netherlands, allowing Sofía Cairo to step up and score the decisive goal, sealing a 3-1 victory in the shoot-out for Argentina.

End of a 38-match unbeaten streak

The result secured a third World Cup title for Argentina, adding to previous victories in 2002 and 2010, while preventing the Netherlands from becoming the first team in field hockey to win four consecutive world titles. The defeat also marked the final international match for Dutch player Xan de Waard. Argentina was the last team to defeat the Dutch national side eighteen months earlier, ending a 38-match unbeaten run in which the Netherlands had recorded 35 victories and 3 draws. The loss also ended a 16-year unbeaten streak for the Dutch women in World Cup competition.