British Goalkeeper Maddie Hinch produced a remarkable performance to help Britain win a dramatic hockey gold in a penalty shootout after a thrilling match at Deodoro Oympic Park.
Britain led early on, but Holland came back strongly to lead as the first half drew to a close.
Britain produced an unexpected equaliser to head into the break level, but the Dutch took full control in the third quarter and went into the final quarter with a deserved lead.
Somehow GB hit back however, and in a sensational shootout Helen Richardson-Walsh and Holly Webb scored the decisive penalties to win Britain's 24th gold at Rio 2016 and keep them in firm control of 2nd place in the medals table.
The Dutch, who had won the Gold at the previous two Olympics, dominated Britain throughout the clash, but poor tactics and defence kept Britain in the contest throughout, and Nicola White's equaliser ensured that there would dramatically be a shootout.
And after forcing the shootout, Hinch, who had made countless saves in the match, produced 4 more as GB claimed their first women's hockey gold in their history.
It was expected to be a win for the Dutch, who have dominated the sport for the last ten years, but GB were the only team that headed into the match on 7 wins out of 7 and were likely to be desperate for the title.
Whilst there was elation at GB reaching the final amongst pundits and ex-players, the individuals were determined to win. With Hinch herself saying prior to the match that Gold simply "wouldn't be enough"
The game got underway, an intense, buzzing atmosphere. The scene was set for British sporting history
GB lead after penalty save
GB were showing some quality movement early on, but the Netherlands soon established control and were putting pressure on the British goal and they were rewarded for their domination in the sixth minute. With the GB defence wide open, Sam Quek went to ground and didn't get near the ball, taking out Dutch attacker Laurien Leurink in the process. It was a clear penalty.
But it was missed, Maartje Paumen, usually so reliable from the spot fired a terrible penalty virtually into the gloves of GB keeper Maddie Hinch, who made no mistake of beating it away and keeping GB level. She punched the air in celebration and received her thanks from a relieved Quek. They had survived, for the moment.
GB were continuing to come under a lot of pressure, this time having to clear the ball off the line through Kate Richardson-Walsh, but Britain soon found themselves leading. Sophie Bray produced some superb skill to juggle the ball and cruise through. She shot, it was saved, but team mate Lili Owsley was there to give them the lead. 1-0
Owsley struck to give GB the lead against the run of play
GB had to see out the first quarter coming under more and more pressure, Hinch had to produce more good saves, including one off a penalty corner, but they held on. GB reached the end of the first quarter in front, having put in a titanic defensive effort
Holland Roar back, but GB Keep in touch
The Netherlands emerged fired up, and were soon back level. Richardson-Walsh hesitated, lost the ball and on the break Kitty Van Male was fed in a brilliant position in the box, she rounded Hinch and the Dutch were level.
Paumen's goal was well deserved, but painful for GB to concede
GB were being outplayed and outclassed, the Dutch were showing exactly why they haven't lost an Olympic women's hockey match since 2004 and it got worse as Crista Cullen saw green and was in the sin bin.
The Dutch were pummeling in shots, winning penalty corners, constantly threatening. But GB's defence, headed by the unbreakable Maddie Hinch between the sticks, were halting the Dutch charge. Holland thought they had scored, but Hinch got the corner of the stick on it to deny them again. Quek cleared for another penalty corner, but it was well defended.
Eventually, GB's resistance was broken. Penalty corner number 4 resulted in the Dutch bursting into the lead. Paumen made up for her missed penalty with a stunning trademark drag-flick. But out of nowhere GB were level. GB's first attack of the second corner drew them level. Ball watching from the Dutch left Cullen to have her own moment of redemption as she fired home. It was poor from the Dutch defence and keeper and they were left wondering how they were not in full control at half time
When the Dutch Scored, GB seemed as if they were in big trouble, but they struck back almost instantly
Dutch Dominate to leave GB in trouble
The Second Half started somewhat calmly, but the Netherlands' grip on the match did not waver. They then had their fifth penalty corner as Susanna Townsend hit the ball onto her own foot. Hinch produced another superb save off a drag flick, but within a minute the Dutch had another penalty corner.
Hinch saved beautifully, but penalty corner number 7 was there almost instantly as Richardson-Walsh blocked the ball with her foot. This time they were back in the lead, Naomi Van As found Van Male with a clever pass, disguised as a drag flick shot, and she netted to damage the British challenge again.
GB came back into the game somewhat, but they were really struggling to retain possession, the Dutch were soon impeded again and penalty corner 8 came, but they fluffed it. They continued to brutally press, not allowing GB any of the ball and when they rarely did get it, not giving them any chance of keeping it. GB would do extremely well to keep the gap at one at the end of the third quarter.
GB had a rare opportunity but it fizzled out, and the Netherlands retained their one goal lead. So could GB do it? Was there any chance of them turning it round to set up a penalty shootout at the very least, or somehow win the gold in regular time? GB were soaking up immense pressure, they needed to find the spirit of the European Championships, where two late goals helped England set up a penalty shootout to beat the Dutch.
British Brilliance sets up penalties
In the first five minutes the Dutch had nothing like the control they had enjoyed in the middle two quarters but GB were not creating any clear cut chances of any note and the Dutch were looking comfortable. The 2008 and 2012 gold medallists where being pressed a lot more, and not finding it easy to retain possession but GB weren't having it all there own way.
But GB's hopes came to life as the Dutch lost a player and the 2012 bronze medallists finally had a first penalty corner. The Dutch defended that one, but couldn't keep out the second, three GB players had a go. Two were kept out, but Nicola White was positioned perfectly to fire home the equaliser. All three of her shots at these Olympics have gone in.
White showed great composure to send GB into Penalties
So the Netherlands defence had let them down again, so they would go back on the attack again. The Dangerous Dutch were testing GB, but the latter's defence was proving as solid as it had been all match. Britain were turning up the intensity, having attacks of their own, and the game was opening up.
GB came forward, and thought they might have another penalty corner, but they lost their video referral as it was not given. There were three minutes left, the tension was extraordinary. The Dutch then had their own moment. Appealing for a penalty corner as Hinch went at the feet of a Dutch attacker. GB survived and the gold medal game was going to a penalty shootout
The Shootout
Helen Richardson Walsh was up first, but a hesitant effort meant GB could not start with a successful penalty. Hinch produced a fine save to keep GB level though, 0-0.
Alex Danson was next up, she tried to round the Dutch keeper but a fine save from Sombroek denied her. But anything she could do, Hinch could do better. Ellen Hoog could not break the wall from West Chiltington
The deadlock was finally broken, after Sophie Bray was tripped, Richardson-Walsh lashed home the penalty stroke for 1-0. Lauren Leurink stepped up, but as she rounded Hinch, the British keeper produced a sensational save to consolidate the GB lead.
Unsworth attempted to smash GB into a 2-0 lead, but she was denied. So was Margot Van Geffen however, and GB would have a shot for victory.
Which was taken. Hollie Webb outwitted to keeper to pull in from a wide angle. GB had completed their 12 year journey from missing out on qualification to Olympic glory. Another remarkable day for team GB continues...
Webb couldn't help but show her delight as she entered the history books
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