FIH Women's Hockey World Cup: the Netherlands defeated Argentina to be crowned World Champions for the ninth time

The top two women's hockey teams on the International Hockey Federation rankings locked horns in the most awaited women's hockey match of 2022. Defending champions, the Netherlands, were looking to win the quadrennial world championship for the third consecutive time against the 2010 champions Argentina.

The Dutch squad was organized, powerful and downright unstoppable. The Netherlands effectively unleashed their best hockey onto the Argentine defence, devastating the South American side. Within the regulation time, Verschoor Maria in the 16th minute, Matla Frédérique in the 23rd minute and Albers Felice in the 35th minute were the goalscorers for the Netherlands. In contrast, Gorzelany Agustina, in the 45th minute, was the lone goalscorer for Argentina.

The match had a teary start as players stood for the national anthems. Many top players such as Belen Succi and Marloes Keetels were playing the last world cup for their respective nations. Argentina won two consecutive penalty corners in the first minute of the game. The Dutch captain Marloes Keetels halted the first, while the second taken by Gorzelany Agustina went over the crossbar. Argentina took control of the game after early pressure by Argentina, but Gorzelany Agustina stopped the Dutch attackers in a moment of defensive brilliance. The first quarter ended with neither side having an advantage despite enjoying several opportunities to score.

The Netherlands got a breakthrough in the first minute of the second quarter as Verschoor Maria fired the ball into the net past Belen Succi to make it 1-0 on a penalty corner flick from Yibbi Jansen. The Dutch squad continued mounting pressure on the Argentine defence. Ten minutes later, Matla Frédérique doubled the lead after receiving a beautiful pass from Laurien Leurink. The first half ended with Belen Succi suffering from an injury and the Netherlands gaining a two-goal lead. 

Argentina started the second half with renewed vigour and motivation but soon lost its momentum against the Dutch defensive wall. Eve de Goede and Sanders pushed the ball towards the midfield in an excellent display of effective teamwork and passed the ball to Albers Felice, who slotted the ball into the goal to further increase the lead for the Netherlands.

The South American side did not give up despite trailing 3-0. Gorzelany Agustina narrowed the lead of the Netherlands to 3-1 with an explosive penalty corner flick. They tried to build on the momentum but failed to make much impact against the Dutch defences as back-to-back mistakes broke the flow of their passes. The Netherlands won the championship match 3-1, securing their victory at the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup for the third consecutive time.

In a post-match interview, Felice Albers said, "It is a great feeling. I am so proud of our team. This was the best version of our team. We were the best team today and that was our best game of the tournament."