Australia clinched a place in the women's World Cup hockey final in dramatic fashion, a golden goal from Suzie Faulkner earning a 1-0 extra-time victory over host Spain.

Faulkner lunged to get a touch on a penalty corner shot from Angie Skirving in the second minute of extra time to ensure the Australians a place in the final against Netherlands.

Earlier five-times winners Netherlands reached the final for the third time in a row, and the ninth time in total, with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over defending champion Argentina.

The Dutch got the better of the South Americans in a repeat of the 2002 final thanks to an opportunist goal from Sylvia Karres early in the first half and well taken strikes from Miek van Geenhuizen and Kim Lammers in the second.

It was stalemate after the regulation 70 minutes in the Australia-Spain match with both sides producing some brilliant defending to deny their opponents chances from a succession of penalty corner opportunities.

With the final whistle about to be blown the stadium was plunged into darkness as the floodlights failed and the game was delayed by 15 minutes.

Spain, making its first semi-final appearance, was unable to take advantage of two further penalty corner opportunities before the match went into extra time.

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