The Ireland team before their clash with Spain. ©INPHO/Will Palmer
From The 42Hard Luck

Ireland Men miss out on last eight at Hockey World Cup following 3-1 defeat to Spain

Two goals in the fourth quarter sealed the win for Spain.
5.46pm, 20 Aug 2026
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Ireland 1

Spain 3

Dave Sihra reports from the Belfius Hockey Arena

THE IRELAND MEN’S hockey team have missed out on a place in the last eight of the Hockey World Cup following a 3-1 defeat against Spain.

Ireland had to avoid defeat today in order to progress, and had an early setback when Spain took the lead through Nicolas Alvarez in the first quarter. Lee Cole provided the equaliser at the start of the second quarter from a penalty stroke.

That would have been enough to send Ireland through, but Marc Reyne struck twice for Spain in the fourth quarter to kill off Ireland’s challenge.

Ireland will now prepare for the classification rounds of the tournament, where they will face France and Malaysia for rankings.

The Ireland women’s team will be in action later this evening at 7.45pm in a crucial World Cup clash with Belgium which they must win.

More to follow…

Written by Dave Sihra and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.

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