Spain booked their place in the final of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 after beating hosts Netherlands 4-3 in a thrilling semi-final at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen.
The Spanish side produced a strong performance under pressure to edge out the Netherlands in a seven-goal contest. The result was especially impressive as Spain were facing the tournament hosts, who had home support behind them throughout the match.
Spain made the most of their chances in attack and stayed composed when the Netherlands pushed forward. Jose Basterra was the standout player for the Spanish side, scoring a hat-trick to play a major role in the win. His goals helped Spain stay ahead during a closely fought contest and eventually secure their place in the title match.
The Netherlands did not make it easy for Spain and continued to fight until the final moments. Playing in front of their home crowd, the Dutch side created several opportunities and managed to score three times. However, Spain’s defence held firm when it mattered most, allowing them to protect their narrow advantage and complete the win.
Spain’s goalkeeper Luis Calzado also played an important part in the result, making key saves as the Netherlands searched for an equaliser. The Spanish defence managed to deal with the pressure during the closing stages and kept the hosts from finding a fourth goal.
The victory means Spain have reached the men’s Hockey World Cup final for only the third time in their history. Their previous appearances in the final came in 1971 and 1998, making this another major moment for Spanish hockey.
For the Netherlands, the defeat ended their hopes of reaching the final on home soil. They will now have to settle for a place in the bronze-medal match as Spain move on to the biggest game of the tournament.
Spain will now wait for the winner of the other men’s semi-final before their opponent is confirmed. With the title just one win away, the Spanish team will be aiming to complete an outstanding World Cup campaign by lifting the trophy.
