The Netherlands retained their women's Olympic field hockey title with a 2-0 win over World champions Argentina at Riverbank Arena on Friday.

The Dutch scored off two second-half penalty-corners to join Australia as the only three-time Olympic champions.

The final was riveting until Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel scored from a rebound of Eva de Goede's corner in the 40th minute.

Then the Dutch turned rampant, and after captain Maartje Paumen had a corner saved, she didn't miss the next chance a minute later in the 54th.

Her 14th Olympic goal and third in London gave her sole possession of the overall record.

The two goals took the air out of the Argentines, who were seeking their first gold medal.