Hockeyroos miss World Cup bronze after defeat to Spain in playoff

Australia have finished fourth in the Hockey World Cup after a 3-1 defeat to Spain in the third-place playoff between the losing semi-finalists.

Maria Lopez Garcia and Berta Bonastre put Spain up 2-0 with goals in the 11th and 14th minutes, respectively, at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London on Sunday.

The fifth-ranked Hockeyroos responded with close range tap-in from Kathryn Slattery in the 40th minute, but Alicia Magaz's strike 11 minutes later sealed victory and bronze for the world No.11 Spanish team.

Australia lost their semi-final to the Netherlands in a penalty shootout on Saturday after the match ended 1-1.

AAP