A level playing field in normal time was resolved when teenager, Salma Paralluelo, placed the ball bottom right corner after driving into the box and beating her opponent in a 1v1.
Both teams entered the pitch with the knowledge that a spot against either Japan or Sweden was at stake in the semi-finals in Auckland on Tuesday.
Spain looked the better team in the opening 20 minutes, with winning back possession in the centre third a reoccurring trend.
However, the Netherlands proved a challenge too in 1v1 duels, due to their physicality on the ball.
It’s Spain that came close to opening the scoresheet in the first quarter-final match, as they hit THE WOODWORK twice! Alba Redondo connects with a stunning cross from Mariona Caldentey, but is tipped expertly at the bar, in which the follow up shot mirrored this.
A 37 minute offside goal for Spain, would’ve seen their slick play rewarded. Esther Gonzalez got on the end of Ona Batlle’s ball to poke it in, but sadly for Spain in an offside position, so play returned to 0-0 at the break.
Half time: Spain 0-0 Netherlands
Within just 1 minute of play being resumed, Esther Gonzalez created an opportunity just outside the box, as she whipped it just wide of the post.
Stefanie van der Gragt was penalised for handball with 10 minutes of normal time left, which resulted in a placed bottom left corner Mariona Caldentey penalty.
Spains advantage didn’t last long, as Stefanie van der Gragt redeemed her prior mistake, as she slipped through in behind the backline and fired the ball past Cata Coll to equalise in the early moments of extra-time.
12 minutes of added time wasn’t enough time to create a winner.
After 90 minutes: Spain 1-1 Netherlands
Another tense game this summer tournament that has resulted in extra-time.
Many back and forth chances, with crucial defending, occurred in the first half of extra time, but penalties became more and more likely in the absence of goals.
The second half of extra time welcomed many attempts, one of which saw a near advantage for the Netherlands, but the ball was placed just right of the goal by Lineth Beerensteyn.
The Dutch may have been enjoying more possession in extra time, but it’s Salma Paralluelo who gives Spain the lead in the 111th minute, after a Spanish counter attack resulted in a controlled drive and shot across the front of goal into the bottom right corner. Not only did this goal secure Spain progression into the semi-finals, but the teenager became the youngest Spaniard to score at a Women’s World Cup as it stands, at just 19 years old!
Full time: Spain 2-1 Netherlands
A win for Jorge Vilda’s side will see them face either Japan or Sweden on Tuesday, where they will hope to reach the final.
Comments