Who is Cristina Cosentino, Las Leonas' wall and shoot-out hero? | OneFootball

Cristina Cosentino became the star of Las Leonas’ world title win this Saturday by saving three penalties in the shootout against the Netherlands. Her performance was decisive in helping Argentina lift the trophy and cap off a campaign in which the goalkeeper was one of the tournament’s most influential players.

The keeper, known as “China” or “Cris,” is 28 years old and was born in Buenos Aires on December 22, 1997. She is 1.78 meters tall, wears jersey number 13, and currently plays for Banco Nación.

Her performance in the final confirmed a trait that has followed her for years: the ability to deliver in the moments of greatest pressure.

A specialist in shootouts

After the title win, Cosentino shared her joy in comments to the official broadcast.

“Very happy, it makes me happy for the girls,” she said after the victory.

Asked about her preparation for the penalty shootout, she explained: “We studied the penalties a bit; I had seen them, but I go by feel in the moment. I had watched them, but not in that much detail.”

Her performance against the Netherlands once again confirmed a reputation she has built throughout her career with the Argentine national team. In decisive matches, the goalkeeper often becomes a key piece thanks to her interventions under pressure.

From forward to star in Argentina’s goal

Cosentino’s path in hockey had an unusual beginning. According to Noticias Argentinas, she started out as a forward at Belgrano Athletic before moving into goal, the position in which she ultimately developed her entire career.

In 2016 she joined Banco Nación and, two years later, received her first call-up to the senior national team.

Her connection to success in Argentina’s colors had begun much earlier. In 2014 she won the bronze medal at the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games, and in 2016 she was crowned junior world champion. That final also came against the Dutch team.

A World Cup with decisive performances

The goalkeeper reached the final backed by a high-level tournament. In the semifinal against Australia, she was one of the standout players, keeping a clean sheet in Argentina’s 1-0 win.

She had also already shown her strength in major shootouts during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In the quarterfinals, she saved all four penalties taken by Australia against Germany, and then stood out again in the 3-1 win over Belgium, a result that allowed Las Leonas to claim the bronze medal.

Now, with three decisive saves in the shootout against the Netherlands, Cosentino has added another chapter to a career defined by the biggest stages. Her performance was key to Argentina securing another world title and to establishing herself as one of the most decisive goalkeepers in international hockey.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.