WAVRE, Belgium: Germany Hockey World Cup champions retained their men’s title with a 1-0 victory over Spain on Sunday, securing a fourth crown and matching Pakistan’s tournament record.
Michel Struthoff scored the decisive goal with 80 seconds left in the third quarter at the Belfius Hockey Arena. He moved across the goalmouth and finished into an open net after Spain goalkeeper Luis Calzado committed early.
Spain had created several chances before the breakthrough. Germany goalkeeper Jean-Paul Danneberg denied Borja Lacalle with a glove save in the second quarter and kept the match goalless at halftime.
Spain continued to press after falling behind and removed its goalkeeper with just under four minutes remaining. However, Germany held on to the 1-0 advantage to claim back-to-back World Cups after also winning the 2023 tournament.
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The victory gave Germany its fourth men’s Hockey World Cup title after triumphs in 2002, 2006 and 2023. Pakistan entered the 2026 tournament as the sole record holder with four crowns, won between 1971 and 1994. Germany now shares the top mark.
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Germany also became the first men’s team to win consecutive World Cups on two separate occasions, having previously defended the title in 2006. FIH named Christopher Rühr Player of the Match in the final.
Earlier, Argentina defeated the Netherlands 2-1 in the bronze-medal match. Tomas Domene scored in the 41st minute before Matias Rey struck the 59th-minute winner after the Dutch had equalised through Floris Middendorp.
