Las Leonas to face the Netherlands in 2026 field hockey World Cup final

Argentina’s women’s national field hockey team will set up a second consecutive World Cup final against archrivals the Netherlands on Saturday after beating Australia 1-0 on Thursday. The team, coached by Fernando Ferrara, secured the win thanks to a goal from Hacoaj’s striker Julieta Jankunas, booking their place in the final that will played at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, the Netherlands. Argentina was superior throughout the match, as Australia failed to create dangerous chances. However, Las Leonas were unable to turn that advantage into goals despite earning six penalty corners across the first 47 minutes. The seventh time was the charm, however, as a set play saw Agustina Gorzelany pass to Sofía Cairó, who, in turn, crossed the ball for Julieta Jankunas to deflect the shot from right in front of the goalkeeper and break the deadlock. Forced to push for a result, Australia had its best chance of the game with just seven minutes on the clock, but a great save by Argentine goalkeeper Cristina “La China” Cosentino sealed Argentina’s place in the final. The win proved highly emotional for the Leonas, who will be back in a final after a difficult 2024 Olympics. “Words fail me right now. I think it’ll all sink in shortly. You look at the girls, and it’s like, ‘What on earth is happening?’ We deserve this,” said Córdoba native Jankunas. “For me, that was everyone’s goal. This squad is truly magical.” Jankunas went on to thank her family in the stands, her partner and everyone supporting Las Leonas. “This belongs to all Argentines because every single person played a part in getting us here, and we’re just the ones representing them today,” she said. Rematch The 2026 final will be a repeat of the one that settled the 2022 World Cup, with the Netherlands winning their record-extending ninth title by defeating Argentina 3-1. It will be a meeting between the top two teams in women’s field hockey, with the Netherlands having been crowned the last two Women’s FIH Pro League champions and Argentina finishing as runners-up on both occasions. Las Leonas reached the final undefeated after topping their first-round pool, tying 1-1 with the United States, beating Germany 3-2 and topping Scotland 2-0, before defeating Spain 3-0 and playing out a 0-0 tie against Belgium in the second round to reach the semifinals. Meanwhile, the Netherlands have won all five games so far, beating Chile 2-0, Australia 4-2 and Japan 9-0 in the opening round, then taking down India 2-0 and China 4-1 in the second. In the semifinals, they held off Belgium 1-0 to reach the final. Argentina reached its seventh World Cup final, having previously fought for the title in 1974, 1976, 1994, 2002, 2010 and 2022. Las Leonas will be chasing their third world crown, following their championship titles in Perth 2002 and Rosario 2010. The final between Argentina and the Netherlands is scheduled for this Saturday, Aug. 29, at 11:00 a.m. Argentine time. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, with online streaming available on Disney+ exclusively for Premium subscribers.