Spain are through to the semi-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time after Salma Paralluelo struck in extra time to send the Netherlands crashing out.
Stefanie van der Gragt scored a last-gasp equaliser for the 2019 runners-up after conceding the penalty from which Mariona Caldentey had given La Roja what was, at the time, a thoroughly deserved opener.
Spain dominated the match creating numerous chances and at the center of play was their number 10 Jennifer Hermoso who was pulling the strings.
On the opposite side for the Dutch was brilliant goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, who pulled off saves to keep her side in the match.
Those themes were underlined in one 17th-minute incident in which the Dutch keeper produced an outstanding save to tip Alba Redondo’s header on to the woodwork and then watched as the same Spaniard, from all of five yards, side-footed the rebound against the same post.
La Roja did have the ball in the net 20 minutes later but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review, with Esther Gonzalez shown to have been offside as she knocked home from close range.
VAR would continue to play a prominent role in this match, with referee Stephanie Frappart awarding – then cancelling – a second-half penalty to the Netherlands before pointing to the spot at the other end after another visit to the pitch-side screens.
Caldentey stepped forward when van der Gragt’s handball was identified and, after a stuttering run-up, slammed a right-foot shot in off the inside of the post. Van der Gragt, who will retire from international football after this tournament redeemed herself with a stoppage-time equaliser of which any centre-forward would have been rightly proud.
Moving into extra time the Dutch grew in strength pushing more bodies forward. Lineth Beerensteyn had a great opportunity to deliver the lead for the Netherlands but she couldn’t get over the ball as her effort sailed over the bat. That left the Dutch open to a sucker-punch, and Paralluelo duly delivered, breaking through on the left before crashing an unstoppable winner in off the far post.
The 19 year old Barcelona teenager scoring what would be the goal to send Spain into the semifinals for the first time ever.
