AHF: Netherlands seal third consecutive world title at the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup Santiago 2025 after defeating Argentina in the final

The final day of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup City of Santiago 2025 was defined by the Netherlands’ crowning moment, as they defeated Argentina 2-1 in the final to reaffirm their historical dominance in the category. The Dutch side reached a record sixth world title and completed a third consecutive crown following their triumphs in 2022, 2023 and now 2025. The Netherlands settled the match in the first half with a goal from a penalty corner and another from open play, then protected their narrow lead in the decisive stages through a very compact defensive structure that withstood sustained Argentine pressure on the turf of the Estadio Nacional.

The conclusion of the tournament also saw Belgium secure the bronze medal, following a convincing 5-1 victory over China in the third-place play-off. Their campaign was marked by consistency, including a single defeat via shoot-out in the semi-finals and a group-stage draw against Argentina. In the classification matches, Austria finished in 21st position with a 3-1 win over Malaysia, while Zimbabwe closed their participation with a narrow 2-1 victory against Namibia in the play-off for 23rd and 24th places.

Below is the full breakdown of all matches on Day 13 in Santiago.

Namibia vs Zimbabwe (Full-Time Score: 1-2)

Namibia opened the final day of the tournament with a well-structured high press and early volume of circle penetrations, maintaining the initiative through Q1 and Q2. After an early penalty corner, Maryke Kruger opened the scoring for a 1-0 lead, before Zimbabwe levelled midway through the first quarter with Nyasha Bvute finishing a transition move inside the circle. The second quarter followed a similar territorial pattern, with Namibia continuing to enter the circle and generate set-piece opportunities, but without the efficiency needed to extend their advantage.

After the break, Zimbabwe adjusted their controlled build-up and gained greater presence in the attacking half, reducing Namibia’s influence inside the circle. In Q3, the African side earned a penalty stroke that they were unable to convert, but they sustained their pressure and eventually found the decisive moment later in the quarter, when Panaka Kambadza scored to make it 2-1. In the closing stages, Namibia pushed forward with attacking rhythm and looked for the equaliser from penalty corners, while Zimbabwe closed the match with a compact block, protected their 23m area and defended with discipline to secure the win in the play-off for 23rd and 24th place.

Zimbabwe captain Tinodiwanashe Elijah, who was named Player of the Match, said, “I’m proud of my team-mates for keeping going and keeping pushing. It’s been a hard tournament; we deserved this one and we will keep working for it. I’m really proud of everyone. Thank you so much, thank you.”

Austria vs Malaysia (Full-Time Score: 3-1)

Austria settled quickly into the match and struck first with an open-play goal by Anna Damm in the 12th minute, during a phase in which they established themselves with composure in the attacking half and began to dictate tempo around the circle. Malaysia remained organised, absorbed the early setback and responded with more stable possession and a balanced first half, in which they even generated a higher volume of circle penetrations. That reaction was rewarded before the break when Mohd Nur equalised in the 27th minute, also from open play, for a 1-1 scoreline that reflected a more even contest than the opening moments suggested.

After half-time, Austria turned their sustained pressure into a decisive advantage by increasing their circle entries and earning multiple penalty corners. The breakthrough came in the third quarter, when Katharina Proksch converted from the set piece in the 33rd minute. Malaysia attempted to stay in contention and earned five penalty corners across the match, but lacked the efficiency to reduce the deficit. In the final quarter, Austria struck again from a penalty corner through Proksch in the 49th minute and managed the closing phases with territorial control and game management to secure the 3-1 victory, finishing 21st in the tournament, while Malaysia concluded their campaign in 22nd place.

Austria’s Katharina Bauer was named Player of the Match and told the official watch.hockey broadcast, “I think the beginning was quite positive for us and it’s nice to finish the tournament with a win. It was a great tournament and a great experience for the team.”

Belgium vs China (Full-Time Score: 5-1)

Belgium took control early and opened the scoring in the 14th minute through Louise Dewaet, closing the first quarter 1-0 after a strong pressing start and increased attacking traffic inside the circle. China responded with longer spells of possession in Q2 and managed to balance the territorial rhythm, though without consistent penetration in the final third. The second quarter passed without goals, as both teams alternated controlled build-up play and organised defensive structures on the turf, with set pieces appearing intermittently but without impact on the score before the interval.

The turning point arrived in the third quarter, when Belgium raised their attacking intensity and converted territorial dominance into a four-goal burst. Agathe Favart doubled the lead in the 30th minute, Alexi Van Remortel followed two minutes later, Dewaet added her second in the 43rd minute, and Louise Van Hecke completed the sequence in the 44th, producing a decisive spell of pace and efficiency. China continued to press from penalty corners and pulled one back in the 51st minute through Zuo Dandan, but Belgium controlled the closing stages with a compact structure and composed time management. The result secured Belgium third place in the Junior World Cup, following a campaign that included only a shoot-out defeat in the semi-finals and a group-stage draw against Argentina, and also featured a record number of goals scored in a single match during the opening phase.

Belgium’s Louise Dewaet, named Player of the Match, said, “It was not our best game, but we still put 5-1 on the board. I’m really proud and happy that we won the bronze medal today. Thank you.”

The final opened with sustained attacking pressure from the Netherlands, who asserted control from the outset and dictated play in the attacking half. Following a scoreless first quarter shaped by patient build-up and constant presence around the circle, the breakthrough arrived in Q2 when Ivy Tellier converted from a penalty corner in the 24th minute to give the Dutch a 1-0 lead. That territorial control was swiftly translated into a second goal, as Guusje Moes finished from open play in the 27th minute to double the advantage. Argentina responded with defensive discipline, endured the most demanding phases of pressure and created their first scoring chances from penalty corners, earning two attempts in the second quarter but failing to find a breakthrough before half-time.

In the second half, Argentina reduced the deficit and reignited the contest. Lara Casas converted from a penalty corner in the 37th minute to bring the score back to 2-1 and return Las Leoncitas to the title fight. From that point on, the South American side took territorial control, built sustained attacking sequences and applied high pressure, combining circulation with repeated circle entries. The Netherlands opted to drop into a very compact defensive block, defending deep near their circle, prioritising space control and relying on isolated transitions without sustained counter-attacking volume.That structural solidity allowed them to absorb Argentina’s pressure in the final stages and protect their narrow lead, securing a third consecutive world title and reaffirming their position at the top of the category. Argentina, meanwhile, finished as runners-up in the Under-21 category for the second edition in a row, repeating the outcome of the 2023 edition.

Player of the Match Ivy Tellier said after the final, “I think we played an incredible game. We were very strong and stayed patient, waiting for the right moments. Against a great team, that was vital for us. Thank you so much.”

FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup City of Santiago 2025
Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional – Santiago de Chile

Result: Match 1 – 23rd/24th Place
Namibia 1-2 Zimbabwe
Player of the Match: Tinodiwanashe Elijah (ZIM)
Umpires: Fatma Mahmoud – Melina Illanes

Result: Match 2 – 21st/22nd Place
Austria 3-1 Malaysia
Player of the Match: Katharina Bauer (AUT)
Umpires: Katie Howie – Juan Pedro Rodríguez

Result: Match 3 – 3rd/4th Place
Belgium 5-1 China
Player of the Match: Louise Dewaet (BEL)
Umpires: Leonard Tamara – Nichol Lani

Result: Match 4 – Final
Netherlands 2-1 Argentina
Player of the Match: Ivy Tellier (NED)
Umpires: Ana Ortega – Maggie Giddens