Netherlands' 4-title streak broken as Argentina secures thrilling shoot-out victory at FIH World Cup

Amstelveen: Argentina snapped co-hosts the Netherlands' dream run of four consecutive women's FIH World Cup titles by winning the crown, defeating the Dutch side 3-1 in a penalty shoot-out after both teams were locked at 1-1 at the end of regulation time here on Saturday.

Argentina, thus, avenged their previous World Cup and Tokyo Olympics final defeats to claim their third world title.

The opening goal came in the 30th minute from the Netherlands' Yibbi Jansen, widely considered the world's premier drag-flicker.

Argentina were awarded eight penalty corners during the contest, and captain Maria Granatto converted the final one on a rebound in the 54th minute to equalise and force a penalty shoot-out.

In the shoot-out, Marijn Veen scored for the Netherlands, whilst Pien Sanders and Felice Albers missed their attempts.

For Argentina, Victoria Granatto, Brisa Bruggesser and Sofia Cairo successfully converted, whilst Zoe Diaz had a goal disallowed following a referral.

Argentina previously won the world title by defeating the Netherlands in 2002 and 2010.

The clash was a rematch four years in the making after the two sides met in the 2022 World Cup final, where the Dutch prevailed 3-1.

The two teams also contested the gold medal match at the Tokyo Olympics, with the Netherlands winning by the exact same scoreline.

The nine-time champion Netherlands reached the final following a dramatic semi-final against Belgium, surviving a late disallowed goal to win by a single strike.

The second semi-final proved equally competitive, with Argentina overcoming Australia by the same margin.

Earlier, Belgium secured third place by defeating Australia 1-0 in a closely contested play-off match.

The opening 15 minutes were evenly balanced, with both sides testing their opponents' defences.

The Netherlands launched their initial attack in the eighth minute when Marleen Jochems sent the ball into the circle, though no teammate could connect. Two minutes later, Sanders penetrated the circle again, but the Argentine defence cleared safely.

Argentina's Miranda Victoria attempted to break through the Dutch backline in the 13th minute without success.

Dutch forward Pien Dicke subsequently failed to capitalise on a promising counter-attacking move.

In the fourth minute of the second quarter, Xan de Waard, the Netherlands' most experienced player with 252 caps, advanced the ball from midfield and found Veen on the right, but she lost control.

The Netherlands earned their first penalty corner in the final minute before the interval, and Jansen recorded her eighth goal of the tournament with a powerful drag-flick.

Following the restart, Argentina secured their first penalty corner in the 33rd minute, but the execution was weak, and the variation failed.

Argentina sustained their offensive pressure and were awarded a second penalty corner two minutes later after captain Maria was obstructed in the circle. Agustina Gorzelany's drag-flick was brilliantly saved by veteran Dutch goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal.

Argentina were awarded two consecutive penalty corners in the final two minutes of the third quarter.

Gorzelany failed to convert the first, and with the ball remaining in the circle, a rebound effort struck a defender's foot to yield another penalty corner.

Gorzelany's trap was again mishandled, and Sauze Victoria, positioned behind her, shot over the crossbar.

Argentina missed a clear chance to equalise when Eugenia Trinchinetti advanced from the right wing, evaded three Dutch defenders, and picked out captain Granatto inside the circle, but she surrendered possession.

Albers won the Netherlands' third penalty corner in the 50th minute, but with Jansen off the pitch, Frederique Matla's attempt drifted wide.

Argentina earned their sixth penalty corner following a counter-attack.

Gorzelany's flick hit a Dutch defender's foot, prompting the umpire to award a seventh corner. Gorzelany's subsequent effort was denied by goalkeeper Veenendaal.

Argentina finally found their breakthrough on their eighth penalty corner when the Dutch goalkeeper slipped whilst attempting to block Gorzelany's flick, allowing captain Granatto to turn in the rebound from the right side of the goal.

PTI