Paris Olympics 2024 : India beat Spain 2-1 to win second successive bronze in men's hockey

Paris Olympics 2024  : The Indian men's hockey team clinched its second successive bronze medal in the Olympic Games after beating Spain 2-1 in the third position playoff match in Paris on Thursday.

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh (30th, 33rd minute) scored a brace for India, while Spain's only goal was scored by captain Marc Miralles in the 18th minute from a penalty stroke.

"This is the better way to finish," said iconic Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh on Thursday, ruling out any possibility of reversing his decision to retire from international hockey after inspiring the team to a second successive bronze medal in the Olympic Games in Paris.

With Sreejesh playing in his last match, India beat Spain 2-1 in the third-place play-off to win back-to-back bronze medals at the showpiece. The last time, an Indian hockey team pulled off consecutive Olympic podium finishes was way back in 1972.

"I think this is the better way to finish an Olympic Games, with a medal. We are not going home empty-handed, that's a great thing," Sreejesh said on 'Jio Cinema'.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday congratulated the Indian men's hockey team for winning the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, saying the power-packed performance and impeccable sportsmanship will ignite a new zest for the sport.

The Indian team clinched its second successive bronze medal in the Olympic games after beating Spain 2-1 in the third-position playoff match in Paris.

"What a splendid show of mettle! Many congratulations to our men's hockey team on winning the bronze medal at the #ParisOlympics2024. Your power-packed performance, and impeccable sportsmanship will ignite a new zest for the sport. Your achievement has raised the pride of the Tiranga," Shah wrote on X.