Paris

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace of goals as the Indian men's hockey team fought back from a goal down to prevail 2-1 over Spain in the third-place match and bagged a second successive bronze medal in the Olympic Games here on Thursday, giving seasoned goalkeeper PR Sreejesh a memorable farewell as he bid adieu to the sport.

Tokyo Olympic Games bronze medallist India were trailing by a goal scored by Marc Miralles scored off a penalty stroke in the second quarter before India scored through Harmanpreet scored twice in the 29th minute and 33rd minute off penalty corners as India fought back brilliantly to win their second successive bronze medal in the Olympics in 52 years. India had last won bronze medals in the 1968 and 1972 Games before this.

Minister Kiren rijiju shared the video of a jubiliant hockey team take out a victory parade in the stadium after defeating Spain on X:

This is truly Chak De India moment!
चक दे ​​भारत #Cheer4Bharat 🇮🇳 https://t.co/z6hfVWF2VJ pic.twitter.com/Z01zJtizxV

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 8, 2024

This medal takes India's tally in hockey to 13 in the Olympic Games with eight gold, one silver and four bronze medals adding to the country's stature as the most successful country in field hockey at the Olympics.

As goalkeeper Sreejesh played his last match with India’S VICTORY OVER Spain, he wrote on X:

As I stand between the posts for the final time, my heart swells with gratitude and pride. This journey, from a young boy with a dream to the man defending India's honour, has been nothing short of extraordinary. Today, I play my last match for India. Every save, every dive, every roar of the crowd will forever echo in my soul. Thank you, India, for believing in me, for standing by me. This is not the end, but the beginning of cherished memories. Forever a custodian of dreams. Jai Hind

As I stand between the posts for the final time, my heart swells with gratitude and pride. This journey, from a young boy with a dream to the man defending India's honour, has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Today, I play my last match for India. Every save, every dive,… pic.twitter.com/pMPtLRVfS0

— sreejesh p r (@16Sreejesh) August 8, 2024

This is India's fourth medal in the Paris Olympic Games, all bronze medals, adding to the three won in shooting.

While Harmanpreet Singh struck the two goals, it was goalkeeper Sreejesh made it possible as he stood like the Rock of Gibraltar and thwarted attempt after attempt from the Spaniards as they went in search of the equaliser.

Victorious Hockey team

There were a lot of anxious moments for India as Spain earned nine penalty corners in all but could not convert any. India on the other hand earned six penalty corners and converted two of them, India defended bravely in the last 5-6 minutes putting their bodies on the line at times to thwart the Spanish.

India had finished second in Pool B, stunning Australia for the first time in the Olympics in five decades. They then overcame Great Britain in the Quarterfinal in a shoot-out. The team played its heart out in the semifinal against World Champion Germany but ended on a losing note, suffering a narrow defeat.

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But they made up for that with a fine come-from-behind win to seal a second successive medal.