The FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 was won by Germany over Belgium in a penalty shootout, 5-4, on Sunday at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, India.
The Germans defeated the reigning champions at Bhubaneshwar in the hockey world cup 2023 final match after coming back from a two-goal deficit thanks to goals from Niklas Wellen, Gonzalo Peillat, and Mats Grambusch.
Florent Van Aubel (10′), Tanguy Cosyns (11′), and Tom Boon (59′) all scored for Belgium to tie the scores at 3-3 at the end of regulation. Germany scored goals through Player of the Match Niklas Wellen (29′), Gonzalo Peillat (41′), and Mats Grambusch (48′).
Germany’s goalkeeper Jean-Paul Danneberg emerged as the game’s hero after making three stops in the penalty shootout. Belgium’s Vincent Vanasch made two saves in the last seconds to keep his team in the game, but Germany maintained their calm to win the match and the championship.
Germany’s victory made them the fourth team to have won three or more hockey World Cup titles. Pakistan has won the hockey World Cup four times, making them the most successful team. The other two teams with three titles each are the Netherlands and Australia.
Germany vs Belgium, Hockey world cup 2023: Match Report
Within the first ten minutes, Belgium jumped out to a 2-0 lead, which was the finest imaginable start. The Belgian side took the lead after Florent van Aubel’s goal in the ninth minute, and they increased it to two goals in the tenth.
Belgium appeared to be on autopilot until Tanguy Cosyns put the ball in the goal. In the second quarter, Germany would exert pressure. Niklas Wellen scored from a penalty corner to give Germany a point despite missing a penalty shot.
When the game was evenly poised in the 40th minute, Peillat rose to the occasion and converted a penalty corner to make it 2-2.
The Germans subsequently took the lead in the 48th minute, sending the crowd into a frenzy as they sought to complete another comeback victory after defeating Australia and England in similar circumstances earlier in the tournament.
Tom Boon scored from a penalty corner in the 58th minute to tie the score at 3-3 and send the game into a shootout after Belgium applied pressure into the German circle after being alarmed by the goal.
Germany vs Belgium Final Shootout
Belgium and Germany both scored on their opening shots, but Arthur de Sloover missed his opportunity to give Germany the lead. After that, Hannes Muller scored, and Victor Wegnez ultimately missed his opportunity to make it 2-1 in the shootout.
As Cosyns scored to tie it 2-2, Marco Miltkau’s attempt to add to the tension was unsuccessful. After Thies Prinz’s shot made it 3-2, Antoine Kina immediately equalized the score.
Grambusch then wasted a crucial opportunity to win it as we reached sudden death with everything on the line.
To increase the suspense around the game, Wellen and Van Aubel made the score 4-4. Germany won after Belgium missed their final shot and Frinz converted a fantastic effort to make it 5-4.
FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 standings – All teams
1. Germany
2. Belgium
3. Netherlands
4. Australia
5. England
6. Spain
7. New Zealand
8. Korea
9. Argentina
9. India
11. South Africa
11. Wales
13. France
13. Malaysia
15. Chile
15. Japan
Also Read: ICC U-19 Women’s World Cup: India Steamroll Past England In Finals, Crowned Champions
