India Clinches Second Consecutive Olympic Bronze in Hockey; Defeats Spain 2-1 in Playoff

In a thrilling display of resilience and skill, the Indian men’s hockey team secured their second consecutive Olympic bronze medal by defeating Spain 2-1 in a hard-fought playoff on Thursday. The victory, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh’s twin strikes, marked a fitting send-off for veteran goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, who played his last Olympic match.
After a heartbreaking 2-3 loss to Germany in the semifinals, the Indian team regrouped and delivered a composed and tactical performance to ensure they finished on the podium once again.
Spain opened the scoring in the 18th minute when their captain Marc Miralles converted a penalty stroke, giving his team a 1-0 lead against the run of play. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, India found themselves trailing at the end of the first half.
However, India’s perseverance paid off in the second half, with Harmanpreet Singh stepping up to convert two crucial penalty corners in quick succession. His first goal came in the 30th minute, leveling the score at 1-1, and just three minutes later, he struck again to put India ahead 2-1.
The Indian defense, anchored by the experienced Sreejesh, held firm against Spain’s attempts to equalize in the closing stages of the match. Sreejesh, who has been a stalwart of Indian hockey for over a decade, made several crucial saves, ensuring his final Olympic appearance ended in victory.
This bronze medal win adds to India’s impressive hockey legacy and builds on the momentum from their previous Olympic success, where they also claimed bronze in Tokyo. The team’s consistent performance on the world stage continues to inspire a new generation of players back home.
As India celebrates this significant achievement, the spotlight remains on the contributions of veterans like Sreejesh and emerging stars like Harmanpreet, who have kept the country’s hockey aspirations alive and thriving on the global stage.