Olympics: India wins Bronze, back-to-back hockey medals for 1st time since 1972

Marc Miralles' penalty stroke put Spain ahead at the start of the second quarter.

But two penalty corner goals from captain Harmanpreet Singh ensured India won bronze for the second Olympics in a row.

 The Indian team gave PR Sreejesh the perfect farewell and secured their 13th Olympic medal by beating Spain 2-1 on August 8, Thursday. Harmanpreet Singh scored both goals as India secured back-to-back bronze medals. 

- 'India Today'

This was the first time India won back-to-back medals for the first time since 1972. Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace after India were behind in the contest to claim the win as they got their record-extending 13th hockey medal at the Olympics.  

India were forced to come back as Spain had taken the lead in the 18th minute of the contest. 

Harmanpreet stepped up at the right time for India as he turned the game on its head in the space of three minutes to get the win. The Indian defence looked rock solid at the back, with Sreejesh stepping up to secure the win.

The first 5 minutes was a cagey affair for both sides as India made their first circle penetration, but to no avail. Sukhjeet got the first real chance of the match as Hardik made a fine run close to D before passing to his teammate. Sukhjeet's shot was well-wide.

Spain started the third quarter with some pressure but India were able to get through it. India got a Penalty Corner in the 33rd minute after a smart referral as Harmanpreet scored his second one to put India into the lead. Spain immediately got a PC back but the Indian defence was up to the mark.

India would get the second PC of the third quarter and it brought out a save from Calzado. A green card was given to Abhishek as he was a little too enthusiastic at the restart.

India would break the Spanish press in the 37th minute and got their third PC of the quarter. It was stopped by the Spanish rusher as India got another PC. Or so they thought as a referral would overturn it.

Spain would start to work hard once again and got a PC in the 40th minute and it was saved by Sreejesh. Spain thought they had a goal but the a good referee referral would preserve the lead for India.

Spain were looking to find the equaliser before the third quarter ended. India were able to get a ball to the right-hand side and a shot from Gurjant was saved.

The Indian attack started to pick up as the circle penetrations went up to 5 as half of the quarter was played. Jose Maria Basterra would make a sensational run into the Indian D in the 10th minute forcing Sreejesh into action to avert the danger . There were a few mistakes from both sides in possession as the quarter ended with no penalty corner for both sides.