Hockey: India vs Spain last five meetings
The two teams will meet in the bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics 2024.
The rivalry between India and Spain in men’s field hockey is a clash between historic dominance and rising European talent. These two nations have faced off numerous times in major tournaments recently.
Indian men’s hockey team holds a record eight Olympic gold medals in field hockey, making them the most decorated team in Olympic hockey history. Their period of dominance from 1928 to 1956 resulted in six consecutive Olympic titles.
Spain, while not matching India’s Olympic achievements, has made significant strides in recent decades. The Spanish team has secured two European Championship titles and has consistently participated in World Cups since 1971.
A notable encounter between these teams occurred during the 1980 Moscow Olympics final. India secured the gold medal with a 4-3 victory over Spain, adding to their Olympic record. They met again in the bronze medal clash at Paris 2024, where India beat Spain 2-1 to take the bronze medal.
Observers often note the contrasting playing styles of the two teams. India is frequently associated with a fast-paced, skill-oriented approach, while Spain is often characterized by tactical discipline and strategic play.
In recent years, matches between India and Spain have become increasingly competitive. The teams regularly meet in significant tournaments, with outcomes often closely contested.
The head-to-head record between India and Spain is in favour of the former, with them leading by a slender margin. In the recent years, India has risen to be among the top teams in the world. On the other hand, Spain has fallen off the radar a bit.
Also Read: Hockey: India vs Spain head-to-head record
Last five meetings between India and Spain
1. India 2–0 Spain (16 February 2025)
India defeated Spain 2-0 to register their first points of the FIH Pro League 2024-25 season. After suffering a 3-1 loss in the opener, the hosts bounced back.
Mandeep Singh broke the deadlock early in the third quarter, reacting quickest to a rebound, before Dilpreet Singh doubled the lead with a sharp deflection minutes later.
Despite late pressure and a string of penalty corners from Spain, India’s defence stood firm, with Suraj Karkera and Krishan Pathak ensuring a clean sheet.
2. India 1–3 Spain (15 February 2025)
India began their FIH Pro League 2024-25 campaign with a 3-1 loss to Spain at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. The hosts started brightly and created early chances, with Sukhjeet Singh giving India the lead in the 25th minute.
Spain responded quickly, equalising through Borja Lacalle before halftime. Ignacio Cobos then converted a penalty corner to put the visitors ahead in the third quarter.
Despite India’s attacking efforts, Spain sealed the win late in the game as Bruno Avila struck in the 56th minute, handing India a disappointing start to their season.
3. India 2-1 Spain (August 8, 2024)
Skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored twice to help India beat Spain 2-1 and clinch the bronze medal match at Paris Olympics 2024. The game was also a farewell for legendary Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh who bid adieu to international hockey.
India had started the match well and made nine circle entries in the opening quarter itself, but could test the Spanish goalkeeper only twice.
They were put on the backfoot when Spain took the lead from the penalty stroke at the start of the second quarter. The Men in Blue eventually pulled back through a brilliant penalty corner goal from Harmanpreet. Once level, India lifted their attacking ante and took the lead in the third quarter once again through their skipper.
The team then held on to their lead and defended bravely with goalkeeper Sreejesh pulling off a couple of wonderful saves late into the match to seal the win and the medal.
4. India 2-2 Spain [SO: 8-7] (19 February 2024)
India had a brilliant start to the game, as they took an early lead via Jarmanpreet Singh. However, they conceded a penalty corner immediately and Basterra made no mistake, making it one apiece.
India then played really poorly for a while. The Spanish took advantage of that, as Miralles set up Lacalle, making it 2-1 in favour of them.
India continued to look out of sorts for a while. However, they got a flurry of penalty corners, and Abhishek slotted in from a rebound. Spain took multiple shots at goal, but Sreejesh didn’t allow them to take the lead. There was drama in the dying minutes, as Akashdeep sent the ball into the goal, but was ruled out as a foot had been found.
In the penalty shootout, a whopping 15 attempts went into the goal unanswered, combining the efforts of the two teams. It was eventually Sreejesh, who made the difference, by saving a shot from Marc Miralles’s stick.
5. India 4-1 Spain (10 February 2024)
This was a game which belonged to India’s dragflickers Harmanpreet Singh and Jugraj Singh. Hardik Singh earned India a penalty corner. Harmanpreet sent it in right between the goalkeeper’s legs, giving India the lead. While India continued to dominate, they got their big chance only in the second quarter.
Three penalty corners were earned in quick succession, with the third one leading to a penalty stroke. Harmanpreet sent Calzado the wrong way, as the lead had been now doubled. Another PC was earned and with Harmanpreet off the pitch, Jugraj stepped up, sending it in between the keeper’s legs.
Spain got a penalty stroke early in the third quarter, and Marc Miralles sent it right into the roof of the net. India then were never in much trouble, as they held onto the lead comfortably. Lalit Upadhyay added the finishing touches to the scoreline, backhanding a drive, into the goal.
India vs Spain Last 5 games
India: 4
Spain: 1
Draws: 0
India vs Spain Overall Head-To-Head
Olympics
Matches Played: 11
India: 8
Spain: 1
Draw: 2
Hockey World Cup
Matches Played: 7
India: 2
Spain: 4
Draw: 1
Champions Trophy
Matches Played: 4
India: 1
Spain: 2
Draw: 1
Hockey Pro League
Matches Played: 8
India: 3
Spain: 3
Draw: 2
Other Matches
Matches Played: 44
India: 18
Spain: 17
Draw: 9
Total
Matches Played: 74
India: 33
Spain: 27
Draw: 14
India vs Spain goals scored
India: 144
Spain: 134
India vs Spain biggest wins
Biggest India win: 6-1 (Test match, 2019)
Biggest Spain win: 8-2 (Test match, 2009)
Who has the better overall head-to-head record between India and Spain?
India leads the overall head-to-head record with 32 wins compared to Spain’s 26, while 14 matches have ended in draws.
How have India and Spain performed against each other at the Olympics?
India has dominated Olympic meetings, winning 8 out of 11 matches. Spain has won once, and two matches ended in draws.
What happened in the Paris 2024 Olympics between India and Spain?
India defeated Spain 2-1 in the bronze medal match, with Harmanpreet Singh scoring twice to secure the medal.
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Kartik Warrier, a B.Tech Mechanical Engineering student at IIT Madras, is an ardent sports enthusiast. Through Khel Now, he gets to pursue his passion by closely following Indian athletes in sports like cricket, football, badminton, hockey, and table tennis.