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The Netherlands successfully defended their Olympic title in women’s hockey, overcoming a significant challenge from China to secure gold in a tense penalty shootout at Paris 2024. Despite being the overwhelming favorites after a 3-0 group stage victory over China, the Dutch found themselves nine minutes away from defeat before Yibbi Jansen’s drag flick equalized the score at 1-1.
The match remained deadlocked, leading to a shootout where Dutch goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal made three crucial saves, helping her team to a 3-1 victory. This triumph marked the Netherlands’ fourth Olympic gold in the last five Games, solidifying their dominance in the sport. The Dutch also made history by becoming the first nation to win both the men’s and women’s hockey golds at the same Olympics, following the men’s team’s penalty shootout victory on Thursday.
China, who matched their best-ever finish from the 2008 Beijing Games, opened the scoring in the first quarter with a goal from Chen Yi, who deflected Dan Wen’s pass into the net. The Dutch had a chance to equalize in the second quarter when Frederique Malta’s drag flick hit the post, but they eventually found the net through Jansen’s late equalizer.
In the bronze medal match, Argentina defeated Belgium 3-1 in another penalty shootout after the game ended 2-2 in regulation time. Sofia Cairo scored the decisive penalty, while goalkeeper Cristina Cosentino saved three attempts from Belgium, who were competing in only their second Olympics. Belgium had taken an early lead through Emma Puvrez, but Argentina responded with goals from Agustina Gorzelany and Agustina Albertarrio. Despite Justine Rasir’s equalizer for Belgium, Argentina held their nerve in the shootout to secure the bronze.
