Pol Amat's spectacular golden goal a minute into extra-time helped European champions Spain beat Korea 3-2 and win the bronze medal at the 11th FIH men's hockey World Cup on Sunday.
It was a big jump for Spain who had finished 11th in the 2002 World Cup while the Koreans suffered another heartbreak, having lost to the Netherlands at the same stage four years ago in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Amat turned out to be Spain's hero as he set up both the earlier goals. He relayed the ball to Eduard Tubau via Alex Fabregas for the first goal in the 10th minute and then set up Santiao Freixa for the next in the 40th.
The Koreans, after being on the defensive until then, threw everything into the game and Jong Hyun Jang converted a penalty corner in the 42nd.
Jong Ho Seo shot home a rebound in the 60th for the equaliser.
However, Spain, who had lost the semi-final to Germany in the tie-break, avoided a second shootout when Amat, in a moment of magic, reverse flicked the ball over an advancing goalkeeper after gaining possession inside the 25-yard area to trigger a Spanish celebrations even as the Koreans slumped to the ground in dejection.
{{/usCountry}}However, Spain, who had lost the semi-final to Germany in the tie-break, avoided a second shootout when Amat, in a moment of magic, reverse flicked the ball over an advancing goalkeeper after gaining possession inside the 25-yard area to trigger a Spanish celebrations even as the Koreans slumped to the ground in dejection.
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