Las Leonas win third World Cup after beating the Netherlands on penalties

**Argentina’s Women’s Field Hockey Team Wins Third World Cup Title**

*Amstelveen, Netherlands –* Argentina’s women’s national field hockey team, known as Las Leonas, secured their third World Cup championship after defeating the Netherlands 3‑1 in a penalty shoot‑out following a 1‑1 draw in regulation time. The final was played at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen on Saturday.

The Dutch side, the reigning Olympic champions and top‑ranked team, took an early lead when Yibbi Jansen converted a penalty corner just before the end of the first half. Argentina equalised six minutes from the end of regular time when captain María José Granatto scored from a penalty corner rebound.

With the match tied, the title was decided by a shoot‑out. Argentina’s goalkeeper Cristina “La China” Cosentino saved or deflected three of the Netherlands’ attempts, allowing the Dutch to score only once. Argentina’s Victoria Granatto and Brisa Bruggesser each converted their penalties, and Sofia Cairó, who had previously scored the decisive penalty in Argentina’s shoot‑out against Belgium at the Paris 2024 Olympics, secured the winning goal.

**Road to the Final**

Argentina entered the tournament as one of the finalists after an unbeaten first‑round pool performance, which included a 1‑1 draw with the United States, a 3‑2 win over Germany, and a 2‑0 victory over Scotland. In the second round, the team defeated Spain 3‑0, drew 0‑0 with Belgium, and advanced past Australia with a 1‑0 semifinal win.

The Netherlands, who had defeated Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final, were the tournament favorites and entered the match as the dominant force in women’s field hockey.

**Historical Context**

The 2024 title marks Las Leonas’ third World Cup triumph. Their first came in 2002, also against the Netherlands, and the second in 2010, when they again defeated the Dutch side 3‑1 in Rosario. The team’s nickname originated at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where a hand‑drawn lioness on the players’ shirts symbolised the squad’s identity.

Since then, Las Leonas have maintained a strong international presence, reaching the Olympic final at Tokyo 2020, earning silver at the 2022 World Cup, and taking bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The team’s success has been achieved despite reported challenges related to infrastructure and funding within Argentine hockey, relying heavily on club‑based youth development and a deep national hockey culture.

**Looking Ahead**

The victory adds a third star to the lioness emblem that has represented Argentine women’s field hockey for more than two decades, underscoring the sport’s enduring legacy in the country.

Article and image source: buenosairesherald.com