Spain beat the Netherlands in extra time to reach the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup

Salma Paralluelo came off the bench to score Spain’s 2-1 extra-time win against the Netherlands on Friday to take them to the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup for the first time.

The 19-year-old Barcelona player broke the 1-1 tie at the start of extra time with a left-footed shot from the edge of the box.

“It means everything to me, it was a unique moment, so much euphoria… I’m extremely happy,” said Paralluelo.

Spain, who have failed to make it past the last 16 in their last two World Cup appearances, face Sweden on Tuesday for a place in the final.

“We went to extra time but the team kept believing it,” said coach Jorge Vilda. “They played at an extraordinary level, all the players, and it was a match with a lot of emotional decisions, and Salma’s goal was pure joy.”

All the goals came at the end of a closely contested match, with Mariona Caldentey scoring Spain’s first goal from the penalty spot in the 36th minute after Dutch defender Stefanie Van der Gragt’s hand entered the penalty area.

Van der Gragt, in his last game before retiring, earned some redemption when he equalized in the 46th minute to take the game into extra time in front of 32,021 fans at Wellington Regional Stadium.

The Netherlands, runners-up to the United States four years ago in France, became the latest favorites to go out in a tournament full of surprises with the United States, Germany, Canada and Brazil already eliminated.

Source: Terra

Rose

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