Argentine dominance headlines Day 2 in Santiago as Australia reinforces consistency and the field buzzes with drama
Day 2 of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup City of Santiago 2025 showcased Argentina’s attacking might, opening their campaign with a staggering 13–0 rout of Zimbabwe. A relentless tempo in possession, a sharp penalty-corner unit, and brace-happy performances from Chiara Ambrosini and Lourdes Pisthon underscored Argentina’s supremacy, with Pisthon emerging as a standout influence around the circle and a constant threat in decisive moments.
Australia also sent a clear message, cruising to a 6–1 victory over Canada, while South Africa and Belgium started their campaigns with solid wins against Austria and Wales respectively. England and China battled to a 2–2 draw, the day’s only stalemate, and Spain closed the slate with a controlled 2–0 win over Scotland, showcasing tight defensive discipline and nullifying any penalty-corner threat.
Below is a thorough recap of all the Day 2 action in Santiago.
South Africa vs Austria (Full-Time Score: 4–1)
South Africa began with a steady rhythm, generating five circle entries in the opening quarter and taking the lead in the 10th minute via a field goal from Leah du Plessis. Austria answered in the second quarter, leveling through Katharina Proksch’s penalty corner in the 20th minute. Just before halftime, South Africa regained the upper hand through Ntsopa Mokoena, who finished a deep passing sequence for a 2–1 advantage at the 17th minute of the second period.
After the break, South Africa shifted its shape and extended the lead early in the third quarter with another du Plessis penalty corner. Austria reduced their circle entries in the second half and were unable to sustain offensive momentum against South Africa’s pressure. In the final minutes, Mokoena added a late field goal (53rd minute) to seal a 4–1 win and a commanding start for the team.
Team captain Ane Janse remarked, “I’m incredibly proud of the team. It was a strong start to the tournament, and securing the three points was crucial. The key was playing as a unit, building connections, and getting the ball into the goal box.”
England vs China (Full-Time Score: 2–2)
On the National Stadium surface, England opened with a clear attacking structure, recording seven circle entries in the first quarter and taking the lead in the 13th minute through Evie Grindal’s field goal after forcing a turnover high up the pitch. China responded swiftly, equalizing at 1–1 in the 11th minute via Hao Guoting, who redirected a penalty-corner sequence into the net. The second quarter saw China pressing higher, earning five consecutive penalty corners from the 24th to the 28th minutes, while England defended resolutely despite a yellow card to Sienna Dunn in the 17th minute.
After halftime, China maintained the pressure with six circle entries early in the third period and moved ahead 2–1 when Zou Lizhe finished a prolonged set-piece sequence in the 35th minute. England reorganized and clawed back momentum, though China briefly lost intensity after Jing Keqing received a green card in the 36th minute. In the final quarter, England regained territorial balance and levelled through a rebound finish by Biba Mills at 48 minutes, while China continued to push with another wave of entries, but England’s defense held firm for a draw.
Australia vs Canada (Full-Time Score: 6–1)
Australia set the tone early on the synthetic surface, logging four circle entries in the opening quarter and striking first in the 5th minute through Josie Lawton. The tempo persisted with a second goal five minutes later, finished by Camryn Mathison after a patient buildup down the left flank. The second quarter brought a surge in territorial control, with seven penalty corners and two goals: Makayla Jones in the 15th minute and Mihaylia Howell in the 24th.
Canada sought a response, but entered the halftime break without a single circle entry. After the break, Canada finally breached the scoreboard through a penalty corner converted by Kenzie Girgis in the 41st minute, yet Australia restored the margin with Jamie-lee Surha’s field goal in the 33rd minute of the third period. In the final phase, Australia added eleven more circle entries and capped the performance with Jones’s second goal in the 59th minute, preserving both a robust defense inside the 23 and smooth transitions to finish 6–1.
Player of the Match Mihaylia Howell commented, “We played a really good game. We’re continuing to build our connections and aiming to improve for the next match. It’s a strong start and important to beat a quality Canada side.”
Belgium vs Wales (Full-Time Score: 3–1)
Belgium took control from the outset at the Hockey Turf Sports Centre, generating ten circle entries in the opening quarter and applying relentless pressure on Wales. The advantage came through a penalty corner finished by Agathe Favart in the 7th minute, aided by sustained circulation in the attacking third. Before the break, Belgium doubled the lead as Alexi Van Remortel found the net in the 18th minute, grounding Wales with a 2–0 deficit.
After halftime, Wales adjusted and halved the score with Amy Cradden’s penalty corner strike in the 43rd minute, marking Wales’ best spell of the match. Belgium steadied the ship with compact defending and controlled transitions, limiting Wales to eight circle entries across the game. Van Remortel iced the result in the 57th minute, sealing a 3–1 victory.
Player of the Match Louise Dewaet spoke of the win, noting, “Three points earned, a tough match but deserved. As a midfielder, scoring isn’t required, but creating chances and helping the team connect to score is important.”
Spain vs Scotland (Full-Time Score: 2–0)
Spain and Scotland traded a measured opening, with Scotland recording nine circle entries to Spain’s five in the first quarter, and neither side earning a penalty corner. Spain shifted to a more controlled exit in the second quarter, seized control of the attacking circle, and opened the scoring at 17 minutes when Anna Gardsjord converted a penalty corner after back-to-back set-piece opportunities.
After the break, Spain retained a compact defensive shape inside their 23, limiting Scotland’s transitions to two or fewer circle entries per quarter while maintaining the lead without conceding a penalty corner. A green card to Caterina Nelli at 50 minutes slightly disrupted Scotland’s pressing, but Spain capitalized to extend the lead with Victoria Madariaga’s field goal in the 53rd minute, ensuring a clean sheet for Carlota Álvarez.
Team captain Teresa Sáenz de Santa María shared, “We’re very happy with the victory. It was important to win this game. We started a little nervous, but settled as the match progressed. The key was to stay calm, trust our training, and enjoy the game, which helped us score.”
Argentina vs Zimbabwe (Full-Time Score: 13–0)
Argentina asserted complete control from the opening whistle on the National Stadium surface, logging ten circle entries in the first quarter and earning three penalty corners before the 10th minute. The hosts opened the scoring with Catalina Stamati’s field goal in the 7th minute and Lourdes Pisthon’s strike in the 12th. The 3–0 margin was cemented in the second quarter via Pilar Pisthon’s penalty stroke in the 19th minute, during a phase in which Argentina dominated territorially and forced Zimbabwe into a deep defensive block with limited outlets.
In the second half, Argentina intensified the tempo, generating 18 circle entries in the third quarter and expanding the lead through varied set-piece play, reaching 6–0. The final period maintained the surge with 17 circle entries and six more penalty-corner conversions, pushing the final tally to 13–0 in a display marked by efficient building, rapid recovery after turnovers, and a prolific attacking unit. The goal scorers included Chiara Ambrosini and Lourdes Pisthon each with hat-tricks, Milagros Alastra and Sol Guignet with braces, and further strikes from Delfina Persoglia, Stamati, and Pilar Pisthon.
Player of the Match Lourdes Pisthon commented, “We played well and wanted a big win to start, now we turn to Belgium. We’re building from the inside out and have a powerful short-corner threat.”
To explore the current pool standings after Day 2, click here.
To view the full match schedule, click here.
FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup City of Santiago 2025 – 2 December 2025
Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional, Santiago de Chile
Match 1: South Africa 4–1 Austria
Player of the Match: Ntsopa Mokoena (RSA)
Umpires: Illanes Melina – Tyson Brian
Match 2: England 2–2 China
Player of the Match: Evie Grindal (ENG)
Umpires: Giddens Maggie – Lewis Shane
Match 3: Australia 6–1 Canada
Player of the Match: Mihaylia Howell (AUS)
Umpires: Howie Katie – Montino Claudia
Match 4: Belgium 3–1 Wales
Player of the Match: Louise Dewaet (BEL)
Umpires: Leonard Tamara – Mahmoud Fatma
Match 5: Spain 2–0 Scotland
Player of the Match: Alonso (ESP)
Umpires: Lani Nichol – Allison Mikelson
Match 6: Argentina 13–0 Zimbabwe
Player of the Match: Lourdes Pisthon (ARG)
Umpires: Ana Ortega – Minami Inamoto
