Spain’s men bounced back on Sunday to reverse their result from a day earlier and clinch a win over Argentina as FIH Hockey Pro League action continued in Valencia.
There was no such joy for the Spanish women’s side, however, who suffered a second straight loss to Las Leonas.
Over in Amsterdam, the formidable Dutch women continued to show their impressive form, claiming another emphatic win over Australia.
(Women’s) Spain 0 – 2 Argentina
Argentina again looked comfortable in their 2-0 victory over hosts Spain, lifting themselves to second spot in the table.
The first half was evenly contested with Spain having resolved the structural problems that crippled them yesterday. Las Leonas enjoyed long periods of possession and territory, but Argentina created more opportunities. Spanish goalkeeper Jana Martínez made three good saves before she was finally beaten when the diving Victoria Falasco’s deflection found the roof of the net from open play in the 29th minute.
Brisa Bruggesser scrambled a goal from close range to double Argentina’s lead in the 32nd minute, and Las Leonas went on to dominate the rest of the match. They created plenty of chances, and even struck the post twice, but they ultimately couldn’t add to their score.
The player of the match was awarded to Argentina’s Brisa Bruggesser, who said: “Yes, obviously very happy with these three points. So we keep working, grow in the match, it is very important.”
(Women’s) Netherlands 5 – 1 Australia
The Netherlands conceded an early goal but bounced back to claim an emphatic 5-1 win over Australia.
Aleisha Powers made a good early save for Australia before Alice Arnott fired them ahead with a well-struck field goal in the seventh minute. The Hockeyroos were then guilty of repeatedly turning over possession out of defence, and Marijn Veen inevitably punished them with her 13th-minute field goal for the equaliser. Dutch debutant Maud van den Heuvel then put the hosts in front somewhat fortuitously as her cross trickled over the line off the goalkeeper, and Yibbi Jansen made it 3-1 with a drag flick on the stroke of half time.
Australia continued to hurt their own cause by gifting possession to the Dutch in dangerous areas, and their problems were compounded by the exceptional energy the Dutch maintained throughout the match. Jansen completed her brace with a 41st-minute drag flick, and Felice Albers closed the scorebook with a slick team goal in the 48th to complete the emphatic victory.
Xan de Waard of the Netherlands was named player of the match and said: “I think they started really strong, 1-0 behind, and I think we did great to turn it around.”
(Men’s) Spain 3 – 2 Argentina
Spain produced an excellent first half to set up their 3-2 win over Argentina, so reversing Saturday’s result.
The last eight encounters between these two sides have not seen a winning margin of more than one goal, and, true to form, Sunday’s match started as tight as ever. Spain struck an unlikely first blow in the 10th minute with an aggressive press, dispossessing Argentina in front of their own goal for captain Alvaro Iglesias to slap it in. Nicolas Alvarez doubled the lead with a well-struck field goal in the 22nd, and Bruno Avila made it 3-0 with an excellent drag flick in the 25th.
Lucio Mendez pulled one back for Argentina in the 35th minute, and they went on to create some promising chances without further reward in the third quarter. The Argentinians kept pressing into the final period, with Tomas Domene clattering a drag flick into the post. Nicolas Della Torre then closed the gap to one goal with his 55th-minute drag flick to set up a tight finish. Spain had one missed opportunity from a penalty corner, and Argentina made some huge drives upfield, but the hosts clung on for the win.
Spain’s Nicolas Alvarez received the player of the match award and said: “Yesterday we went a few steps back in defence, but today we went forward a bit and the key in the end was to score two goals. It cost us a lot, but in the end we are happy. Three points and now we rest.”
Current Hero Top Scorers:
Women – Yibbi Jansen (NED) (9 goals)
Men – Tom Boon (BEL) (14 goals)
To see the current standings in the FIH Hockey Pro League, click here.
FIH Hockey Pro League – 8 June 2025
Estadio Betero, Valencia, Spain (ESP)
Women
Result: Match 39 (W)
Spain 0 – 2 Argentina
Player of the match: Brisa Bruggesser (ARG)
Umpires: Jonas Van’T Hek (NED), Pauline Cuypers (BEL), Daniël Veerman (NED-video)
Men
Result: Match 39 (M)
Spain 3 – 2 Argentina
Player of the match: Nicolas Alvarez (ESP)
Umpires: Rebecca Edwards (ENG), Daniël Veerman (NED), Pauline Cuypers (BEL-video)
Wagener Stadion, Amsterdam, Netherlands (NED)
Women
Result: Match 40 (W)
Netherlands 5 – 1 Australia
Player of the match: Xan de Waard (NED)
Umpires: Ivona Makar (CRO), Sébastien Michielsen (BEL), Michael Dutrieux (BEL-video)
