The Olympic silver medallists raised the decibel level at a packed Kyocera Stadium with a spectacular 14th minute opener from Jeroen Hertzberger, which appeared to have set the Dutch men on the way to emulating the previous day's World Cup victory by their women's team.

However, the 2010 world champions were level within six minutes through a penalty corner strike from Ciriello drag-flick specialist, and four minutes later Kieran Govers scored an opportunistic goal to give the Kookaburras a lead they never looked like losing in a display which ended with their captain, Mark Knowles, being named Player of the Tournament.

A goal straight after the break from Glenn Turner rocked the Dutch back on their heels, and the score swiftly became 5-1 as Ciriello added two more thunderous goals from penalty corners.

The coup de grâce was delivered by five-times International Hockey Federation (FIH) Player of the Year Jamie Dwyer, who marked his 321st international - making him the joint highest capped Australian along with Jay Stacy - by dribbling along the back line before drilling the ball home.

Australia, bronze medallists at the London 2012 Games, finished top of their qualifying group with five wins out of five before defeating Argentina 5-1 in the semi-final.

"We have played really great hockey throughout the tournament," said Dwyer.

"It's the best hockey I think we have ever played."

England's men were left "devastated" by their defeat to a side that had entered this tournament ranked 11th in the world.

Argentina celebrate as Matias Paredes scores one of his two goals, which earned them a 2-0 win over England in the bronze medal match at the Hockey World Cup ©AFP/Getty Images

Two goals from Matias Paredes in the 55th and 56th minute did the trick for Argentina, whose coach Carlos Retegui thus picked up his second medal of the World Cup having steered Argentina's women to bronze with a 2-0 win over the United States the previous day.

England fulfilled their world ranking of fourth - but that was patently of no consolation at the final whistle as they sank to their knees in dismay.

"We're obviously devastated," said the England coach Bobby Crutchley.

"If you make a semi-final it's a horrible position to come fourth.

"We had a bit of a dose of reality today.

"We defend solidly and we have some good players but we don't quite have enough in terms of creating chances and scoring goals.

"That's something we'll have to change.

"We are tough to beat which is great but we need to score some more goals and that's the hardest thing to coach.

"Our players will put their bodies on the line and run all day, but that will only get you so far."

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