Great Britain’s woman’s hockey team have won Team GB’s first medal of the day, a bronze, after a thrilling match against India.

Team GB took an early two-goal lead, only for India to come back to lead 3-2 at half-time.

But two second-half goals meant Great Britain secured bronze, five years after winning gold at Rio 2016.

Great Britain had the best chances in the first half with India’s goalkeeper the busier of the two.

Savita Punia made several good saves to keep her side in the match, while Maddie Hinch of Britain was a spectator for the first quarter.

Team GB made an early breakthrough in the second period after Elena Rayner forced the ball in off Deep Grace Ekka’s stick.

Hinch made an outstanding stick save in the second period to keep India at bay before Sarah Robertson scored an excellent goal when India were down a player, to give her side a two-goal cushion.

But India went into the second half leading, after two quickfire penalty corner goals from Gujri Kaur and a third-goal from Vandana Katariya, following a long video referral wait.

Captain Hollie Pearne-Webb levelled in a dominant third quarter but Savita kept her side from going behind with several good saves including a goalmouth scramble in the final seconds of the quarter.

Team GB continued to dominate in the fourth quarter and after a series of penalty corners, Grace Balsdon scored the winning goal to secure a bronze for her team.

Team GB women were crushed 5-1 by semi-final opponents Holland as the Dutch avenged their 2016 Olympic final defeat when goalkeeper Hinch’s heroics during a penalty shoot-out ensured gold medal glory.

After the match, the Dutch launched a verbal assault on Team GB’s women’s team, labelling them as “arrogant”.

“We have the feeling that those girls always have a lot of bravado, almost arrogant,” Dutch captain Eva de Goede told Dutch Hockey’s official website.

“We really wanted to show today that they certainly don’t come near us. I’m glad we were able to play our own game and knock them all out.”

The Dutch, who are seeking their fourth Olympic gold, will face Argentina in the final later today – a repeat of the 2012 gold medal match.

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