Spain beat Netherlands to reach 1st WWC semi

August 11, 2023 ndowd

Salma Paralluelo of Spain celebrates after scoring her team's winning goal against Netherlands at the Women's World Cup. — Salma Paralluelo of Spain celebrates after scoring her team’s winning goal against Netherlands at the Women’s World Cup.

Substitute Salma Paralluelo scored in extra time to lift Spain to a nervy 2-1 victory over the Netherlands on Friday and into the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup for the first time.

The sixth-ranked La Roja, who had not advanced past the round of 16 in two previous two World Cup appearances, will face either Japan or Sweden for a place in the final in Auckland on Tuesday.

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Mariona Caldentey scored Spain’s other goal with a penalty kick in the 81st minute after Dutch defender Stefanie Van der Gragt had handled the ball inside the box.

Van der Gragt, in her final World Cup appearance, earned some redemption when she equalised in the 91st minute to send the game to extra time in front of 32,021 fans at Wellington Regional Stadium.

Barcelona teenager Paralluelo raced onto a through ball in the second period of extra time, shook off her defender with a silky move at the top of the penalty area and smashed a left-footed shot past Daphne van Domselaar for her first World Cup goal and a historic win for Spain.

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