India men’s hockey team replicated their Tokyo 2020 performance to clinch a second consecutive Olympic medal in Paris 2024.

The Harmanpreet Singh-led side turned the tide of the bronze medal match in their favour as they came from behind to clinch a 2-1 victory against Spain. It was a commendable victory for the Men in Blue as Spain had knocked out defending Olympic champions Belgium in the quarter-finals.

The ever-dependable Harmanpreet finished the Paris 2024 as the highest goal scorer in the Men’s Hockey event with a prolific 10 goals to his name.

The first quarter started on level terms as both sides failed to break the deadlock. However, a foul from India allowed Marc Miralles (18′) to convert a penalty strike and take an early lead.

It continued to be a neck-and-neck battle between the two sides with the Indian captain (30′) restoring parity at the brink of half-time through a penalty corner. The talisman netted the winner in the 33rd minute after converting the penalty corner to perfection.

Spain earned an early chance to draw level in the fourth quarter but the effort from the penalty corner went way wide off the post. Later, India tried to add to their lead as Sukhjeet Singh got hold of the possession in the center of the circle and turned around but failed to find the netting.

In the final 10 minutes of the fourth quarter, Hardik Singh was walked off the field after injuring his left arm following a heavy collision with Xavier Gispert during India’s counter-attack.

The Spaniards maneuvered the ball from left to right and vice-versa in the final seven minutes to penetrate inside the circle but a brilliant tackle from Manpreet Singh kept them away from scoring.

India’s custodian PR Sreejesh and Amit Rohidas were in the crux of the action in the dying minutes after Menini Joaquin earned a penalty corner for Spain but failed to convert it on two consecutive occasions.