India win FIH Women's Nations Cup after defeating Spain 1-0

Savita Punia-led Indian hockey team defeated Spain 1-0 to lift the inaugural FIH Women's Nation's Cup in Valencia to seal a berth in the 2023-24 Pro League.

While it was the Spanish side that got the penalty first, Savita Punia denied them the early lead with a successful save. Gurjit Kaur in the 6th minute successfully converted India's first penalty corner in the 6th minute to give India the lead in the first quarter.

India though got a chance later in the 2nd & 3rd quarters but Spain's goalkeeper Clara Perez denied India their attempts from the penalty corner to restrict them at 1-0. An aggressive Spanish side, too, kept looking for an equaliser until the final minutes of the 4th quarter but the Indian defense stood firm and maintained their lead.

India and Spain had played the game as replacements after New Zealand and Australia pulled out due to Covid-19 issues.

While India won the title, they haven't qualified for the ongoing 2022-23 Pro League season.