Spain defeated Netherlands 2-1 in extra time in the opening quarterfinal match on Thursday at Wellington Regional Stadium in New Zealand, continuing the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
The Netherlands and Spain both ranked second and third in our most recent World Cup power rankings. Three Golden Boot contenders competed on Thursday, including Jill Roord of the Netherlands, Alba Redondo of Spain, and Jennifer Hermoso of Spain. Daphne van Domselaar of the Netherlands is a finalist for this year’s Golden Glove award.
Aitana Bonmat, the 25-year-old captain of Spain, has something to prove in this competition in order to firmly establish herself as the top female player in the world.
Star midfielder Danille van de Donk was absent for the Netherlands since she was disqualified from the quarterfinals after receiving a second yellow card of the competition against South Africa. Before this round, players were immediately suspended from their team’s following game if they received two yellow cards in two separate matches.
There won’t be a repetition of the 2019 runners-up’s final appearance from four years ago after Stefanie van der Gragt’s late goal offset Mariona Caldentey’s second-half penalty.
Before Spain seized the lead from the penalty spot in the 81st minute, the Netherlands didn’t pose much of a danger, although they did have multiple opportunities to do so through Beerensteyn. Then, Paralluelo made up for those wasted opportunities with a precise strike off the post that advanced Spain to a historic semi-final.
The winning goal was scored in the 111th minute by teenage Salma Paralluelo. Spain advances to the semifinals where it will play Sweden after Sweden wins against japan 1-2.
The winning goal by Salma Paralluelo in the 111th minute broke the previous mark for the latest winning goal in Women’s World Cup history.
Additionally, Paralluelo has made history by scoring the first ever tournament goal for a young Spaniard.
