India honored PR Sreejesh with a perfect farewell by defeating Spain 2-1 to win the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. This victory marked the first time since 1972 that India has secured back-to-back Olympic medals. Harmanpreet Singh scored both goals for India after they initially trailed in the match, leading to their record-extending 13th Olympic hockey medal.

India had to mount a comeback after Spain took the lead in the 18th minute. Harmanpreet Singh made a decisive impact, turning the game around in just three minutes to secure the win. The Indian defense was solid throughout, with Sreejesh playing a key role in clinching the victory.

The first five minutes of the match were tightly contested, with both teams struggling to create opportunities. India made their initial circle penetration, but it was ineffective. Sukhjeet had the first genuine chance of the game after Hardik made a strong run near the D and passed to him, but Sukhjeet's shot was off-target.

As the match progressed past the first quarter, the Indian attack gained momentum, with their circle penetrations increasing to five by the midpoint of the quarter. In the 10th minute, Jose Maria Basterra made a remarkable run into the Indian D, prompting Sreejesh to make a crucial save to prevent any danger. Both teams made several errors with possession, and the quarter concluded without either side earning a penalty corner.

Spain took the lead in the 18th minute with a penalty stroke converted by Marc Miralles, following a well-executed move by their attackers. They continued to apply pressure, utilizing the wings effectively and earning the first penalty corner of the game, which was blocked by Amit Rohidas. Spain received another penalty corner, but the Indian rusher deflected it past the post. India had a chance to equalize when Lalit’s shot was saved by the Spanish goalkeeper, Calzado, and they narrowly avoided further damage as Spain’s attempt to double their lead nearly succeeded.

Spain continued to challenge the Indian defense, with Borja Lacalle hitting the post. The resulting penalty corner led to an Indian counter-attack, and India earned their first penalty corner of the game in the 29th minute. Despite Amit Rohidas’s effort being saved, India managed to equalize just before the end of the half with a dangerous ball into the D by Manpreet, allowing Harmanpreet to score.

The third quarter began with Spain applying pressure, but India managed to hold firm. India earned a penalty corner in the 33rd minute after a smart referral, and Harmanpreet scored again to give India the lead. Spain quickly responded with a penalty corner, but the Indian defense, led by Sreejesh, held strong. India then received a second penalty corner of the quarter, which was saved by Calzado. Abhishek received a green card for an enthusiastic restart.

In the 37th minute, India broke the Spanish press and got their third penalty corner of the quarter, but a referral overturned it. Spain pushed hard again, earning a penalty corner in the 40th minute, which Sreejesh saved. Despite Spain’s efforts to find an equalizer, including a close shot from Gurjant that was saved, India held their ground. Another penalty corner for India was blocked by Calzado as the third quarter ended.

Spain increased the pressure in the final quarter and earned a penalty corner right after the restart, but Recasens’s effort went wide. Sukhjeet missed a chance to make it 3-1 with a wide shot in the 46th minute. Spain continued to press, and Sukhjeet received a green card with less than eight minutes remaining, giving Spain a temporary man advantage. Despite the intense pressure, the Indian defense remained solid.

With less than 90 seconds left, Spain earned a penalty corner and then another, but Sreejesh made crucial saves to preserve the lead. In the final minute, Spain had one last penalty corner opportunity, but Sreejesh cleared the danger once more, securing the win and giving him an emotional farewell as India claimed victory.