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

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

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

Below you will find the complete overview 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 an early volume of circle penetrations, maintaining the initiative in Q1 and Q2. After an early penalty corner, Maryke Kruger opened the scoring for a 1-0 lead, before Zimbabwe leveled midway through the first quarter with Nyasha Bvute completing 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 chances, but without the efficiency needed to extend their lead.

After the break, Zimbabwe adjusted their controlled build-up and gained a greater presence in the attacking half, reducing Namibia’s influence inside the circle. In Q3, the African side earned a penalty that they could not convert, but they kept up the pressure and finally found the decisive moment later in the quarter, when Panaka Kambadza scored to make it 2-1. In the closing stages, Namibia continued their attacking rhythm and searched for an equalizer from penalty corners, while Zimbabwe finished the match with a compact block, protecting their 23 meter area and defending with discipline to secure victory in the 23rd and 24th place play-off.

Zimbabwe captain Tinodiwanashe Elijah, who was named Player of the Match, said: “I am proud of my teammates for persevering and continuing to push. It has been a tough tournament; we have earned this and we will continue to work for it. I am really proud of everyone. Thank you very much, thank you.”

Austria vs Malaysia (Full-time score: 3-1)

Austria got into the game quickly and struck first with an open goal from Anna Damm in the 12th minute, during a phase where they calmly established themselves in the attacking half and began to dictate the pace around the circle. Malaysia remained organised, absorbing the early setback and responding with steadier possession and a balanced first half, during which they even generated a greater number of circle penetrations. That response was rewarded before half-time when Mohd Nur equalized in the 27th minute, also from open play, for a 1-1 scoreline that reflected a more even match than the opening moments suggested.

After half-time, Austria turned their continued pressure into a decisive advantage by increasing the number of circle entries and earning multiple penalty corners. The breakthrough came in the third quarter, when Katharina Proksch converted from the set in the 33rd minute. Malaysia tried to stay in contention and earned five penalty corners during 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 to secure the closing stages with territorial control and game management to secure the 3–1 victory and finished 21st in the tournament, while Malaysia ended their campaign in 22nd place.

Austria’s Katharina Bauer was named Player of the Match and said during the official watch.hockey broadcast: “I think the start was quite positive for us and it’s nice to end 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, ending the first quarter 1-0 after a strong pressing start and more attacking traffic inside the circle. China responded with longer periods of possession in the second quarter and managed to balance the territorial rhythm, albeit without consistent penetration in the final third. The second quarter was goalless as both teams alternated controlled build-up play and organized defensive structures on the grass, with set pieces appearing intermittently but with no impact on the score before the break.

The turning point came in the third quarter, when Belgium increased their attacking intensity and turned their 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 run in the 44th, providing a decisive period of pace and efficiency. China continued to apply pressure from penalty corners and pulled one back through Zuo Dandan in the 51st minute, but Belgium controlled the closing stages with a compact structure and controlled time management. The result secured Belgium third place at the World Junior Championships, after a campaign that included only a shoot-out defeat in the semi-finals and a group stage draw against Argentina, and also included 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 wasn’t our best game, but we still managed to score 5-1. I’m really proud and happy that we won the bronze medal today. Thank you.”

Netherlands vs Argentina (Fulltime score: 2-1)

The final started with continued attacking pressure from the Netherlands, who were in control from the start and dictated the play in the attacking half. After a scoreless first quarter, shaped by patient build-up and constant presence around the circle, the breakthrough came in Q2 when Ivy Tellier converted from a penalty corner in the 24th minute to give the Dutch team a 1-0 lead. That territorial control quickly translated into a second goal, as Guusje Moes finished from open play in the 27th minute to double the lead. Argentina responded with defensive discipline, withstanding the most demanding phases of pressure and creating their first scoring chances from penalty corners. They earned two tries in the second quarter but failed to find a breakthrough before half-time.

In the second half Argentina reduced the deficit and reignited the match. Lara Casas converted from a penalty corner in the 37th minute to reduce the score to 2-1 and return Las Leoncitas to title contention. From then on, the South American side took territorial control, building sustained attack sequences and applying high pressure, combining circulation with repeated circle entries. The Netherlands chose to settle into a very compact defensive block, defending deep near their circle, prioritizing space control and relying on isolated transitions without sustained counter-attack volume. That structural strength allowed them to absorb Argentina’s pressure in the closing stages and protect their slim lead, securing a third consecutive world title and reaffirming their position at the top of the category. Argentina, meanwhile, finished second 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 match. We were very strong and stayed patient, waiting for the right moments. Against a great team that was crucial for us. Thank you very much.”

FIH Hockey Women Junior World Cup City Santiago 2025
Field Hockey Sports Center, National Stadium – Santiago de Chile

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

Result: Match 2 – 21st/22nd place
Austria 3-1 Malaysia
Player of the match: Katharina Bauer (AUT)
Watch: Katie Howie – John Peter Rodriguez

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

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