After falling behind by two goals early on in the game, the German side won the match 5-4 in the shootout to win the trophy three times.
The Germans defeated the reigning champions at Bhubaneshwar in the summit match after coming back from a two-goal deficit thanks to goals from Niklas Wellen, Gonzalo Peillat, and Mats Grambusch.
Within the first ten minutes, Belgium jumped out to a 2-0 lead, which was the finest conceivable start. The Belgian side took the lead after Florent van Aubel's goal in the ninth minute, and they increased it to two goals in the tenth.
Germany vs Belgium Hockey World Cup final: Highlights
Comeback kings Germany turnaround yet another 2-goal deficit in the finals to take the game into a shoot-out and win their third Gold medal at the FIH Hockey Men's World Cups and their first since 2006. Belgium finish as silver medallists.
Germany beat defending champion Belgium 5-4 in penalty shootout after the match ended 3-3 in full time to clinch Hockey World Cup 2023. It is Germany's third World Cup title.
Belgium are level right at the death. It's Tom Boon with a powerful drag flick that dissects the gap between Stadler and the post defender perfectly to level up the scores.
Penalty Corner to Belgium! Stopped by Hinrichs! Tom Boon attempts a drag flick but his low effort is stopped by a rushing Teo Hinrichs who keeps his stick low and deflects the ball out of bounds.
Belgium are piling on the pressure but Germany are defending well to keep the Belgians away from their circle and look a constant threat on the counter attack
The turnaround is complete for the Honamas! Mats Grambusch hits a sliding tomahawk from an impossible angle that nutmegs Vanasch and gives Germany the lead
Germany are back level. It's form man Gonzalo Peillat who buries a penalty corner into the bottom left corner beating Vanasch and bringing the Honamas back level.
Who else but Niklas Wellen! Germany win a penalty corner. Tom Grambusch's flick is blocked but falls to Wellen, the injector, he controls the high ball & finishes spectacularly above Vanasch!
Belgium sitting in deep not allowing the counter attacking opportunities that the Germans are searching for. Can the Honamas pull a goal back before half-time?
Penalty Stroke to Germany! Tom Grambusch steps up to take it. Saved by Vanasch. Grambusch goes high to the left, but Vanasch gets his stick to it. What a stunning save that is from the Belgian!
Belgium win a penalty corner and their variation catches the rushers out, but Stadler dives to his left and pulls off a brilliant save to keep Germany in this
2 quick-fire goals from van Aubel & Gougnard stuns the German defence and gives Belgium a crucial lead. Germany have been the king of comebacks though, so do not count them out
One brings two for Belgium! Simon Gougnard, all alone on the far post, taps the ball into an open goal and Belgium are flying here.
Florent van Aubel gets Belgium on the board. He latches on to a high ball in the circle and smashes it past Stadler to open the scoring for the defending champions.
Cosyns does a stellar job of rushing out in defence of the penalty corner and blocks Peillat's attempted drag flick to keep the scores level.
Germany wants a penalty corner but the umpire doesn't agree. Germany are going to refer this.
The video umpire agrees with Germany and they will have the first penalty corner of the finals
Belgium are dominating possession and territory early and create dangerous circle entries twice, but the pressure is well handled and cleared by a combination of Mats and Tom Grambusch.
Germany will play in their all-black jerseys, while Belgium kit up in all-white
Both Germany and Belgium recovered from multiple deficits in their respective semifinals to earn their right to compete for the gold.
With 11 players aged above 30 and three above 35, Belgium's 'golden generation' of hockey players, who have won the 2018 World Cup and Tokyo Olympics golds, have shown that they are supremely fit and experience matters more than age.
