India edge out Spain to claim hockey bronze at Paris Olympics

New Delhi: India defeated Spain 2-1 to win the bronze medal in men’s hockey at Paris Olympics on Thursday.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored both the goals (30 and 33 minutes) as India came from behind after Marc Miralles had put Spain ahead in the 18th minute to win and claim bronze.

Harmanpreet scored both his goals from penalty corners, triggering a fightback and his team was put under immense pressure by Spain in the initial phase of the match.

India had won bronze at Tokyo 2020 too, which was their first hockey medal in 41 years. It was India’s fourth medal at Paris 2024, all of which are bronze.

India have won eight Olympic gold medals in men’s hockey, the last of which was in 1980. In addition to it, they won a silver medal in 1960 and three bronze medals in 1968 and 1972, and in Tokyo 2020.

India won consecutive hockey medals at Olympics after 52 years and Thursday’s bronze was their 13th medal from the sprting discipline.

It was a fitting farewell for India’s veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who ended his international career after 18 years, producing a crucial save from a penalty corner in the dying minutes of the match to deny Spain.

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 Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored both the goals (30 and 33 minutes) as India came from behind to best Spain and claim bronze at Paris Olympics.  Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today