Finland wins ice hockey world championship in overtime, Switzerland's final heartbreak continues
Konsta Helenius scored in the 71st minute to give Finland a 1-0 overtime victory over host Switzerland in the final of the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Zurich, extending the Swiss team's agonizing wait for a first title.
The golden goal
Finland captured its fifth ice hockey world championship title and its first since 2022, defeating host Switzerland 1-0 after a tense, scoreless regulation period in Zurich. The decisive moment came in the 71st minute of overtime when Konsta Helenius of the Buffalo Sabres beat Swiss goaltender Leonardo Genoni, silencing a crowd of 10,000 at the Eistempel in Zurich-Altstetten and many thousands more across the country.
They are like robots.
Switzerland's final curse deepens
The loss marks Switzerland's fifth defeat in a world championship final, following losses in 2013, 2018, 2024, and 2025. It is also their third consecutive final loss, having fallen to the USA in overtime a year ago in Stockholm and to another opponent in Prague two years ago. Remarkably, the Swiss have failed to score a single goal in any of their last three final appearances.
A defensive masterclass
Finland's uncompromising defensive structure stifled a Swiss team that had dominated its previous nine games of the tournament, including a 4-2 victory over Finland in the preliminary round. Swiss NHL star Roman Josi had the best chance to win it in regulation, but Finnish goaltender Justus Annunen swept the puck off the goal line in the 53rd minute. In overtime, Finland's Jesse Puljujärvi hit the post in the 62nd minute before Switzerland's Damien Riat struck the crossbar in the 64th minute, setting the stage for Helenius's heroics.
Coaching change and context
The Swiss entered the tournament under new head coach Jan Cadieux, who took over after Patrick Fischer was forced to resign weeks before the competition due to a scandal involving a falsified Covid-19 vaccination certificate from before the 2022 Olympics. The team was unable to complete the success story under its new leadership.
Norway's historic bronze
In the bronze medal game, Norway won its first-ever medal at an ice hockey world championship, defeating record champion Canada 3-2 in overtime. The result surpassed Norway's previous best finish of fourth place in 1951. DEL goaltender Henrik Haukeland was instrumental in the victory over a Canadian team featuring superstar Sidney Crosby.
I don't even know what to...
- Olli Määttä's early chance for Finland saved by Leonardo Genoni.
- Anton Lundell's goal for Finland disallowed after video review for a high stick.
- Pius Suter misses Switzerland's best chance of the second period.
- Roman Josi's shot cleared off the goal line by Justus Annunen.
- Jesse Puljujärvi hits the post for Finland in overtime.
- Damien Riat hits the crossbar for Switzerland in overtime.
- Konsta Helenius scores the golden goal, Finland wins 1-0.
