THE HAGUE: Australia produced a splendid performance to outclass the Netherlands 6-1 to grab their third World Cup title at the Kyocera Stadium here on Sunday.

The Aussies completely dominated the match against the Dutch and won with a whopping 6-1 scoreline in what will be remembered as a high-scoring final between two top teams.

The Australians went through the tournament unbeaten and bade their coach Ric Charlesworth a winning farewell as he is due to step down after the Commonwealth Games next month.

Charlesworth became the only coach to win the World Cup as a player in 1986 and then back-to-back titles as a coach. He was also the coach in 2010.

For the first time in the tournament, the Australians failed to take the lead. The Dutch who attacked with greater numbers found the target in the 14th minute.

Jareon Hertzberger collected the ball in the 25-yard line and then dribbled past the Australian defenders before unleashing a hefty reverse hit which went past goalkeeper Andrew Chater.

The reigning champions came back with a vengeance and in the 20th minute earned their first penalty corner and Chris Ciriello scored his fifth goal of the tournament.

Kieran Govers then gave Australia the lead four minutes later with a shot from the top D that easily beat goalkeeper Jaap Stockman.

Australia started the second half strongly and capitalised on a rare Dutch defensive lapse. Glenn Turner gleefully took advantage and slotted home from close range to put the champions 3-1 ahead.

Ciriello then added two more goals in the 47th and 57th minute to record his hat-trick before Jamie Dwyer scored the final goal in the 64th.

The Dutch simply had no answer to the Australians onslaught and were left in tears after the match.

Earlier on Sunday, Argentina secured their first ever podium finish when they blanked England 2-0 in the third-place playoff.

The Argentine hero was Mathias Paredes who scored both goals in the 55th and 56th minutes from field attempts.

Also on Sunday, Belgium defeated Germany 4-2 to take fifth place. Tom Boon, Tanguy Cosyns, Florent van Aubel and Sebastian Dockier scored to secure a victory against the Germans, the Olympic champions.

New Zealand downed Spain 4-1 in a penalty shoot-out to claim seventh spot.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2014