Spain secured their first-ever berth in the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in extra time.
The decisive goal came from Barcelona’s Salma Paralluelo in the 111th minute, sealing a thrilling contest that had ended 1-1 in regulation time.
The encounter, filled with dramatic moments, saw Spain dominating the first half and hitting the woodwork twice in quick succession.
Despite their dominance, they had a goal disallowed for offside through VAR intervention.
In the second half, the Netherlands fought back, gaining momentum and challenging Spain’s lead. A pivotal moment occurred when French referee Stephanie Frappart initially awarded a penalty for a foul on Lineth Beerensteyn.
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However, after VAR consultation, the decision was overturned due to insufficient contact.
With the score at 1-1 and only minutes remaining in regular time, Spain found a breakthrough when Mariona Caldentey converted a penalty kick after Stefanie van der Gragt’s handball in the box.
In a dramatic twist, Van der Gragt redeemed herself in the first minute of stoppage time by scoring an equalizer for the Netherlands, ensuring the game would extend into extra time.
During the additional period, the Netherlands pressed forward, but it was Spain’s young talent Salma Paralluelo who stole the spotlight.
In a decisive counterattack, Paralluelo surged down the left, outwitted a Dutch defender, and delivered a powerful low shot into the net, securing Spain’s historic semi-final spot.
After the match, Van der Gragt, who played her final game before retiring, expressed her disappointment. She acknowledged the missed opportunities in extra time, highlighting the unpredictable nature of football.
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The Netherlands’ hopes were dashed, while Spain celebrated a significant achievement in the tournament.
Spain’s triumph sets the stage for a thrilling semi-final matchup, where they await the winner between Sweden and Japan, further intensifying the competition and setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the Women’s World Cup.