Belgiums womens hockey team loses World Cup semifinal to Netherlands after disputed disallowed goal

Belgium’s women’s hockey team, the Red Panthers, lost 1-0 to the Netherlands in the Women’s Hockey World Cup semifinal on Thursday at Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, sparking outrage over a disallowed Belgian goal in the closing moments. The Dutch secured their place in the final before a home crowd of 10,000, while Belgium will now compete for bronze against Australia on Saturday .

The match was tightly contested, with both teams displaying high technical and tactical levels. Belgian coach Raoul Ehren’s side impressed with vertical play and precise ball control, matching the three-time defending champions for long stretches. The decisive moment came in the 26th minute when Lotte Englebert left the field with a facial injury, and the Netherlands capitalized on a counterattack two minutes later, with Matla scoring the lone goal .

Belgian players and officials condemned the result as unfair, particularly due to the disallowed goal in the final phase. The Red Panthers, who last won a World Cup medal in 1978, have never been closer to the top rank, according to local reports, but the scoreline ultimately decided their fate .

In the men’s tournament, Belgium’s Red Lions will play India on Friday at 18:15 in Wavre for seventh place, a match neither team wanted. Captain Arthur Van Doren acknowledged the disappointment after their semifinal exit against Spain but emphasized the team’s determination to finish strongly. “By respect for the jersey, the federation, and our fans, we absolutely want to win,” he said. The Red Lions, already qualified for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, reflected on their narrow misses in group-stage matches against Germany, Australia, and Spain, where they drew twice and lost once despite strong performances .

The Belgian women’s team, despite the loss, earned praise for their discipline and structure under coach Adam Commens, with defenders like Vanden Borre executing with precision. The first quarter saw balanced play, with Belgium creating early penalty corner opportunities through Englebert and Mariën, but the Dutch defense held firm. The Red Panthers’ next match will determine whether they claim their first World Cup medal in 48 years .