Argentina’s women’s national hockey team, popularly known as Las Leonas (The Lionesses), secured their third World Cup crown on Saturday following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands. Hosted at the historic Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, the high-stakes final ended 1-1 at the end of the regulation 60 minutes. The South American side then held their nerve in the shootout, triumphing 3-1 to avenge their defeat against the same opponents in the 2022 final.
The match pitted the sport’s two undisputed powerhouses against each other in a frantic, end-to-end spectacle. Backed by a vocal home crowd, the Dutch side established early territorial dominance with their trademark fluid passing and high pressing. However, Argentina’s defensive line remained resolute, absorbing the pressure and restricting the host nation to low-percentage attempts. Operating on the break, Las Leonas struck first, converting a swift counter-attack into a field goal to quieten the Amstelveen crowd. Netherlands responded shortly afterwards, levelling the score with an executed set-piece routine from a penalty corner.
Both sides pushed hard for a winner during a tense fourth quarter. With 15 minutes remaining, players on both sides created chances, yet both goalkeepers produced crucial saves to keep the match level at 1-1 when the final hooter sounded.
Under International Hockey Federation (FIH) tournament regulations, a drawn knockout match proceeds directly to a shootout rather than extra time. In this format, attackers start 23 metres out and have eight seconds to beat the opposing goalkeeper in a one-on-one duel.
Argentina’s goalkeeper delivered a masterclass during the shootout, repeatedly denying the Dutch forwards by narrowing angles and making crucial stick saves. Netherlands managed to convert just one of their four attempts. In contrast, the Argentine attackers showed remarkable composure, outmanoeuvring the Dutch goalkeeper with decisive footwork and cool finishes to score three times.
The 3-1 shootout victory gives Argentina their third world title, adding to their previous triumphs in 2002 and 2010. By lifting the trophy on Dutch soil, Las Leonas also brought a satisfying end to a fierce international rivalry, turning the tables on the Dutch team that had beaten them in the previous World Cup final.
