Paris 2024 hockey: India men’s team capture bronze in close win over Spain

India defeated Spain 2-1 in the men’s hockey bronze medal match at Paris 2024 on Thursday (8 August) thanks to a brace by Harmanpreet Singh.

The victory marks India's 13th Olympic medal in hockey, their fourth bronze and a second consecutive bronze after winning one at Tokyo 2020. It is also the first time since 1972 that the nation has won back-to-back medals in hockey. Singh, India's captain, scored 10 goals in the tournament and is on track to be the Games' leading men's scorer.

It was also the final game for goalkeeper Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh, who spent time as the national team's captain and appeared in four Olympics for India.

"I feel great. We create history again, back-to-back (bronze medals). It's a big day for India and a big day for hockey," Singh said.

"Today's game was very good. We played as a team. Everyone delivered, especially our legend Sreejesh. It was his last game. It's a memorable game for him, and a big achievement as a team."

Germany will take on the Netherlands later today in the gold medal match.