The Netherlands and Argentina will clash in the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup final on Saturday in Amsterdam, after both nations ground out 1-0 semifinal wins on Thursday to set up a repeat of the 2022 World Cup final — a match the Dutch won. It is the most anticipated rematch in women's hockey, and this time Argentina's Las Leonas arrive with a point to prove.

Netherlands Edge Belgium in a Tense Semifinal

Hosts the Netherlands faced co-hosts Belgium in the first semifinal, with the Belgians coming in as clear underdogs against the three-time defending champions. Belgium refused to be overawed, matching the Dutch in an evenly contested opening quarter and pressing them for long stretches.

The breakthrough came just before half-time in the 28th minute, when Frédérique Matla produced a sharp one-handed deflection following a slick team move to put the Netherlands ahead. Belgium earned a penalty corner with just nine seconds left in the half but could not convert the opportunity to level.

The tension deepened in the second half when 18-year-old Famke van Heel appeared to have scored a stunning equaliser, only for the goal to be ruled out on video review — a decision that proved decisive. The Netherlands held on to book a place in their eighth consecutive World Cup final, a record that underlines their dominance of the women's game.

Argentina Outlast Australia in Second Semifinal

The second semifinal between Argentina and Australia was similarly tight, with a goalless first half producing just five circle entries and one penalty corner apiece for each side. Argentina looked the more threatening side in the third quarter but struggled to find a way through.

The deadlock was broken in the 47th minute when Julieta Jankunas applied the finishing touch to a penalty corner variation, sparking celebrations among the vocal Argentine contingent in the crowd. Goalkeeper Cristina Cosentino then proved her worth, repelling two Australian penalty corner attempts in the final quarter to protect the lead.

The Hockeyroos came agonisingly close to an equaliser with just 17 seconds remaining, but the ball missed captain Grace Stewart's outstretched stick by a matter of millimetres. Argentina held on to reach their seventh World Cup final.

Placement Matches: Spain, England, Japan, Ireland Settle Rankings

Earlier on Thursday, Spain claimed seventh place after defeating China in a shootout. Marta Segu's mis-hit gave Spain an early lead before Anhui Yu levelled for China with a powerful reverse strike in the second quarter. Neither side could separate themselves in regulation, and Spain eventually won the shootout 1-0 after 11 unsuccessful attempts between the two teams.

England claimed ninth place with a 3-1 win over the USA, all four goals coming from penalty corners. Elizabeth Neal opened the scoring before Ryleigh Heck equalised for the US. Lily Owsley restored England's lead five minutes later, and Tessa Howard sealed it in the 55th minute.

Japan finished 11th with a 2-1 win over Scotland. Miyu Suzuki opened from a penalty stroke in the 11th minute, and Akari Nakagomi deflected home a second before Scotland's Ellie Mackenzie pulled one back late. Japan survived a final penalty corner with 34 seconds remaining to secure the result. In the 13th-place playoff, twin sisters Niamh and Michelle Carey combined to put Ireland ahead early, and they held on against South Africa to take the win.

What the Final Means

Saturday's final is a rematch three years in the making. The Netherlands enter as defending champions and the most successful side in the tournament's history, while Argentina will be motivated by the memory of 2022 and the form of Jankunas and Cosentino this week. The result will determine whether the Dutch extend their dynasty or Las Leonas reclaim the title they last won in 2010.