A historic double for Germany
The final in Wavre, Belgium, ended in a tense 1-0 victory for Germany over Spain, a result that cemented the German men's team's place as the most successful side in recent World Cup history.
The breakthrough came in the 44th minute when forward Michel Struthoff found the net, slipping the ball past Spain's defence after a swift counter‑attack. The goal proved enough to protect a lead that Germany's backline held onto for the remainder of the match.
Coach André Henning, who took charge of the side earlier in the tournament, praised the team's resilience after a narrow loss to Spain in the group stage. He explained that tactical tweaks and a focus on compact defending turned the tide in the final.
Spain, despite out‑shooting Germany nine to five and earning four penalty corners, could not convert their chances. Goalkeeper Jean‑Paul Danneberg made a series of crucial saves, including a dramatic left‑hand stop against Borja Lacalle that kept the German lead intact.
Captain Christopher Ruhr was named Player of the Match, saying after the game that the squad wanted to silence doubters and prove that their previous triumph was no fluke.
Spain's coach Max Caldas, who had tasted defeat in a World Cup final two years earlier while leading the Netherlands, expressed disappointment but highlighted the team's growth. The Netherlands, meanwhile, finished fourth without a medal for the first time since 2006.