Michel Struthoff's third-quarter strike sealed a 1-0 victory for Germany over Spain at the Belifus Arena, securing a record-equalling fourth World Cup crown.
Germany secured a second successive men’s World Cup title and a record-equalling fourth crown overall after defeating Spain 1-0 in a closely contested final at the Belifus Arena.
The decisive moment came late in the third quarter when Michel Struthoff capitalised on a rare defensive lapse by the Iberian nation. Struthoff kept his calm to round Spanish goalkeeper Luis Calzado and score in the 43rd minute.
Both teams entered the decider having eliminated co-host Belgium in earlier rounds and boasting the tournament's strongest defensive records. Germany threatened early when Benedikt Schwarzhaupt’s 90th-second drag-flick was kicked away by Calzado, while Spain's defence, led by Jordi Bonastre, successfully contained further shots for much of the match.
Spain pressed for an equaliser in the third quarter but failed to test German goalkeeper Jean-Paul Danneberg, as Pepe Cunill and Marc Miralles fired wide from three short corners. Seeking a late goal, Spain substituted Calzado with less than four minutes remaining, but could not break down a resolute German defence.
The triumph capped a major achievement for head coach Andre Henning, who managed a squad transition featuring only nine returnees from the 2023 championship team.
In the third-place match, Argentina defeated the Netherlands 2-1 through goals from Tomas Domene in the 41st minute and Matias Rey in the 59th minute, while Floris Middendorp scored for the Dutch in the 49th minute.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Hockey. Photo courtesy The Hindu Hockey.