It was a dramatic day of FIH Pro League action in Belfast and Santiago del Estero, with late goals, breakthrough performances and dominant displays shaping four compelling matches. England and Belgium traded momentum in a thrilling men’s draw before the English secured the bonus point in the shootout, while Ireland earned their first ever Pro League points after a fierce 1-1 battle with the England women.
In Argentina, both national teams impressed on home turf. The Leonas fell to a clinical Dutch side in a rain-shortened 4-0 defeat, but the Argentine men produced a sharp and composed performance to beat Pakistan 3-2 in one of the most entertaining matches of the day.
(Men) Belgium 2 – 2 England (SUN: 2 – 3)
After giving up their early lead, England came back from behind with 30 seconds left on the clock to score a 2–2 draw against Belgium and then take the extra point in the shootout.
It was all Belgium in the opening stages of the match as the Red Lions enjoyed plenty of possession and piled on the pressure, forcing a great early save from James Mazarelo. However, the English found their feet and were the first to strike when Henry Croft hammered it home from the top of the circle from the first penalty corner of the match. While the Belgians showed a lot of patience in the build-up, the English defense made it difficult to create real chances in the second quarter. All the action came at the other end, where a determined England were awarded four penalty corners on the trot. But the Belgians managed to prevent further goals, with Maxime van Oost making a particularly impressive diving save from the line to keep the score at 0-1 at halftime.
Belgium created many more chances in the third quarter, but the English defense held firm again. The breakthrough finally came at the start of the fourth, with Arno Van Dessel averting the equalizer in the 47th minute. The Belgians sneaked into the lead six minutes later with a sensational goal, when Nelson Onana came in from an acute angle. Not to be outdone, the English came up with their own burner. With just half a minute to go, Jacob Payton’s first reverse strike from a high ball into the circle saw England salvage the draw and then claim the extra point with a 3–2 victory in the resulting shootout.
Henry Croft was named player of the match and said: “I feel great. Thanks to the guys who helped us get through it… We just said let’s stick together, trust the process, because we’ve done a lot of work and stick together as a group, and good things are happening.”
(Women) Ireland 1 – 1 England (SO: 4 – 3)
Ireland claimed points for the first time ever in the FIH Hockey Pro League with a courageous 1-1 draw against England before going into the shootout at 4-3 for the bonus point.
The Irish adapted more quickly to the extremely wet pitch conditions and dominated England in the first half. They won most of the 50/50 battles and were able to attack freely in the first quarter without reward. They had a number of close calls in defense in the second minute, and goalkeeper Elizabeth Murphy had to save a penalty shot in the 20th minute to keep things level. England goalkeeper Miriam Pritchard stepped out quickly to take out Sarah Torrans in the 26th minute, but Ireland’s hard work was rewarded seconds later. England conceded possession inside their own 23 yard area and Mikayla Power’s pass across goal found Torrans to make it 1-0 at half-time
The third quarter was even with both teams struggling to penetrate the circle. Elena Rayer equalized for England in the 36th minute after an almost identical move against Ireland’s goal, and the stage was set for an exciting final quarter. Ireland applied almost constant pressure at the start of the period. England weathered the storm and enjoyed attacks of their own, but were blocked by the brave first wave fleeing the Irish. There was late drama when the Irish caught England trying to run the ball out of defense with 15 seconds left, but Jessica McMaster’s sharp shot clanged into the side of the goal and the match ended in a shootout. Ireland kept their nerve to win it, much to the delight of the home fans.
Mikayla Power was named player of the match for Ireland and said: “It feels great, second Pro League game, making our debut in Ireland yesterday and then our second game today with a big home crowd. It just means so much and just so nice to get points on the table.”
(Men) Argentina 3 – 2 Pakistan
Argentina defeated Pakistan 3-2 in a lively match and survived a spirited fightback to claim full points at home.
Pakistan got off to an excellent start, playing at a fast pace that created early chances. Waheed Ashraf Rana was the first to really test the Argentine backline, but Tomas Santiago produced a strong save from close range. Rana came close again moments later, flashing a shot past the far post as Argentina struggled to convert their own penalty corner chances – a backhand from Tomas Domene rippling only on the outside of the goal.
Argentina finally broke through in the second quarter when Domene finished from close range after a sharp baseline sequence from Thomas Habif to Ignacio Nardolillo, who squared the ball perfectly for the finish. The only goal stood until half time.
The third quarter was full of action. Pakistan equalized through Muhammad Ammad, who took a smart tap on a pass from Zikriya Hayat to make it 1-1. Argentina responded immediately with a fantastic pair of penalty corners, just one minute apart. Nicolás della Torre shot low into the corner before Maico Casella launched a shot high into the net after a series of renewed rewards. Pakistan earned their own trio of re-prizes before Waleed Rana finally tucked away a rebound to pull them back within one before the buzzer.
The 3-2 score was maintained until the last quarter. Pakistan delivered a brave performance, but Argentina’s experience and the accuracy of the penalty corners ultimately proved decisive.
Argentina’s Thomas Habif was named Player of the Match and said: “It was good to get the win today. Yesterday was a good game and today was better for us.”
(Women) Argentina 0 – 4 Netherlands
The Netherlands secured an impressive 4-0 victory over Argentina in a match that was abandoned by heavy rain, sealing the result with a clinical finish after 55 minutes of play.
A hard stick challenge from Agustina Gorzelany on a streaking Joosje Burg in the 15th minute earned the Dutchman a penalty. Frédérique Matla calmly converted and sent the ball low to the stick side of goalkeeper Cristina Cosentino for the opener.
Miscommunication in the second quarter left Matla with a lot of space, and Felice Albers’ build-up work perfectly fueled her to kick back and double the Dutch lead. Despite the score, Argentina provided sufficient attacking moments, with Anne Veenendaal much busier in goal, but the Leonas could not get past it.
Two more Dutch goals in the third quarter put the match definitely out of reach. A slick passing sequence created space for Freeke Moes at the top of the circle, and she buried a low backhand to make it 3-0. Moments later, Moes forced a rebound on Cosentino, allowing Pien Dicke to score a sweep in the fourth in the 43rd minute.
With ten minutes to go, the heavens opened and conditions quickly deteriorated. As standing water poured over the field, the match was abandoned with just under five minutes remaining. The 4–0 score remained, and Matla was named Player of the Match. A bright spot for Argentina was Julieta Jankunas’ 200 celebratione international competition.
Current hero top scorers:
Women – Stephanie Vanden Borre (BEL), Ambre Ballenghien (BEL), Frédérique Matla (NED) (2 goals)
Men – Thomas Crols (BEL), Timo Boers (NED) (2 goals)
To see the current standings in the FIH Hockey Pro League, click here.
FIH Hockey Pro League – December 11, 2025
Sports Ireland Campus (IRE)
Gentlemen
Result: Match 5 (M)
Belgium 2 – 2 England (SO: 2 – 3)
Player of the match: Henry Croft (NL)
Referees: Jonas van’T Hek (NED), Lizelotte Wolter (NED), Lukasz Zwierzchowski (POL video)
Women
Result: Match 5 (W)
Ireland 1 – 1 England (SO: 4 – 3)
Player of the Match: Mikayla Power (IRL)
Referees: Sandra Adell (ESP), Hyosik You (KOR), Gemma Calderon (ESP video)
Santiago del Estero Hockey Club, Argentina (ARG)
Gentlemen
Result: Match 6 (M)
Argentina 3 – 2 Pakistan
Player of the match: Thomas Habif (ARG)
Referees: Sean Rapaport (RSA), Michael Dutrieux (BEL), Jonathan Altamriano (MEX video)
Women
Result: Match 6 (W)
Argentina 0 – 4 Netherlands
Player of the match: Frédérique Matla (NED)
Referees: Ivona Makar (CRO), Jonathan von Hoesslin (RSA), Kamile Mockaityte (LTU video)
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