Las Diablas, champions and qualified for the 2026 World Cup

They write the history of Chilean hockey. Las Diablas became champions of the World Cup after beating Australia (8th in the ranking) for the second time in the tournament. The first time was in the group stage by 2 to 1 and In the final it was by the minimum with a great goal from Antonia Irazoqui. They already had a place in the World Cup assured by reaching the last stage, but the golden finish leaves them once again in an unbeatable place to face what is coming: the second World Cup in August.

The first minutes seemed like analysis until the score was soon broken: a powerful flick from Denise Rojas Losada crossed all the lines until it reached near the rival area where Antonia Irazoqui received and defined, in a one-on-one with the Australian goalkeeper, in an exquisite way to make it 1-0 after seven minutes of play. The narrow partial victory remained on the Chilean side until halftime.

In the third quarter a short corner for Las Diablas opened the door to thinking that the difference could be widened. But it took them a little longer to shoot at the goal, Australia defended well and generated a very fast counterattack that left the forward alone against Natalia Salvador. He managed to avoid it but his shot went long at the end. Chile breathed and endured it until the end.

They wanted to end the unforgettable week with the golden coronation. And they did it. The buzzer sounded and they shouted again like they did after the semis against Japan when they secured a place in the World Cup. This time it was a champion’s cry.

The bronze and the third guaranteed classification for the 2026 World Cup went to Ireland who beat Japan on penalties (3 to 1) after tying 0 to 0 in regulation time. The Asians, who were on the bottom of the podium, will have to wait to find out who is the 4th in the Indian World Cup so that it can be determined who gets that last ticket because they are the best ranked of the two.