2 v 1 
NetherlandsDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 August 2023 | 2:00 am | Women's World Cup | 2022/23 |
Match Report
A moment of magic from teenager Paralluelo in extra time saw Spain advance to the final four of the Women’s World Cup. Spain beat the Netherlands 2-1 to advance to the World Cup Semi Finals for the first time ever tonight as they knocked out the 2019 beaten finalists in Wellington. The winner came eight minutes from full time in extra time, which the Dutch had forced with an injury time equaliser in regulation. The Netherlands head home unable to repeat their run to the final of four years ago, whilst Spain now look forward to a final four tie against either Japan or Sweden on Tuesday. The first half was run by Spain, from the opening few minutes they dominated the ball with Esther Gonzales almost giving her side an early lead but could not get her effort on goal. The story coming into this tie was the absence of stars on both sides. The Netherlands were expected to do well at this tournament but the absence of star striker Vivianne Miedema, along with the suspension of Van De Donk in the midfield was a potential advantage for Spain but they were without their own two time Ballon D’Or winner Alexia Putellas, but unlike the Dutch duo, Putellas was fit enough for the Spanish bench. Redondo came closest for taking the lead for Spain just before the 20th minute mark, the Spanish striker rose highest to head towards goal but Dutch keeper Van Domselaar produced an incredible finger tip save onto the post, the ball came back to Redondo who could only bundle her rebound back off the woodwork, to the relief of the Dutch defence. Minutes before half time Spain thought they had taken the lead. A cross towards the back post found Redondo who laid it back across goal on a plate to her strike partner Gonzalez who tapped home but referee Stephanie Frappart consulted VAR and quickly overturned the goal for offside. The half time break did not give the Netherlands any relief as the second began in the same fashion. Their strike partnership was getting chances but just could not find the lead, Gonzalez this time with a phenomenal effort from distance that just went wide of the post. The longer this game stayed scoreless, the more the Dutch would feel confident of nicking a goal or getting through this tie and to a dream final four. Just after the hour mark, the Dutch had their chance, or did they. With Beerensteyn through on goal Spanish defender Paredes was forced into a last ditch challenge that saw the referee point to the spot. Controversially though, ref Frappart was advised to go to VAR and eventually overturned her original decision, so the game went on. VAR was once again the story with just ten minutes to go, once again against the Netherlands as Van Der Gragt appeared to block the ball with her outstretched hand, and after going back to the screen it was confirmed and the spot kick was given. Caldentey stepped up to the spot slowly and with her right foot smashed low to the left and to her relief it found the back of the net off the woodwork to send La Roja wild. Beerensteyn did have a chance just four minutes from time to level the game but on the Dutch counter attack, the forward produced a tame effort that keeper Coll dealt with easily. The Dutch though, refused to lie down, and just two minutes into the twelve added on, Stepfanie Van Der Gragt who conceded the penalty earlier produced a moment of absolute magic as she saw her right footed effort from outside the area sail past Coll into the far corner. The Dutch defender who is retiring after this tournament, refused to let her career end there and then. Both teams let the minutes play out knowing that thirty more would await them as the first Quarter Final went to extra time. The first 15 minutes were not played at a great intensity as the fatigue and cramp began to set in. This game needed just one moment of quality to avoid penalties, and there were a lot of players on this pitch capable of producing those Up stepped the 19 year old Barcelona winger Salma Paralluelo, picking the ball up deep and running at the Dutch backline before producing a wonderful left footed shot to the far corner, the moment of magic La Roja were looking for to give them a chance of advancing to the final four. Spain looked more likely to get a third in this game than the Dutch were getting an equaliser as the time ticked down. The Netherlands were clearly exhausted after a tough game. With the Final Whistle, Spain march on and watch on in a few hours time to discover their Semi Final opponents, who they will face in Auckland on Tuesday with a place in the World Cup Final up for grabs.Paralluelo puts Spain into the final four AET
Timeline
Ground
| Wellington Regional Stadium |
|---|
| Sky Stadium, Waterloo Quay, Pipitea, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand |
Samuel Mansfield
26-year-old TV, Radio, and New Media graduate from MTU Kerry based in the Kingdom with a passion for a variety of sports.
The Netherlands have been eliminated as the final whistle sounds in Wellington as Spain ease into the Semi Finals.
It's a goal for Spain which might just be enough to secure the game. The young Barcelona forward Paralluelo finds space on the left side, and as the Dutch defence back off her she picks her spot and finds the bottom corner. 2-1 Spain.
A long throw almost finds the net for the Dutch but it's over from Beerensteyn.
Beerensteyn almost stole the game for the Dutch as she broke through the Spanish defence again but couldn't find the net as her effort went wide on the far side.
It's half time in extra time. 15 minute here. Will it take penalties to separate the sides.
Both sides have rung the changes as they try to get the win here. 20 minutes to play for both European countries with a semi final berth at stake.
We're back up and running with 30 minutes to play. It hasn't been a classic but it's been exciting in the closing stages of normal time.
Extra time in Wellington. 1-1 at the full time whistle.
Looks like we might have extra time here as both sides start to look very cagey in the last few minutes.
The Dutch are level. The villain has potentially become the hero. Stefanie van der Gragt who gave away the penalty has redeemed herself with a blistering effort from the edge of the box that gave Coll no hope of keeping it out. We have plenty to play for yet in Wellington.
The Dutch have their opportunity. A great break from Beerensteyn down the left hand side fails to produce an effort that overly bothers Coll in the Spanish goal.
An audacious effort from a Teresa Abelleira free kick almost caught Van Domselaar out but the young Dutch keeper touched the ball over the bar.
And Spain have one foot in the Final Four as Mariona Caldentey finds the net from the spot kick with the help of the bottom of the left hand post as vam Domselaar goes the wrong way.
Another VAR decision. This time it goes in favour of the attacking team as the Dutch defender van der Gragt is adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.
Spain make their first change as they push for this game. as Redondo is replaced by Paralluelo. They've been by far the better team.
VAR has over ruled the onfield decision and the game restarts with a drop ball. The card is also rescinded.
The Netherlands have been given that one chance. Beerensteyn has been bundled over in the box and a penalty has been given.
Gonzales starts the second half as she ended the first. A phenomenal effort from distance just goes inches wide of the post. Spain need to convert once of these as the Netherlands will start to believe as long as they can stay level.
As the game ticks over into added time, defender Ona Battle has a crack but it's alway going over the bar.
The Dutch finally build a scoring opportunity but it's called back for an offside in the build up.
Gonzalez has the ball in the back of the net and a VAR check rules it out as she is inches ahead of Redondo at the point of the pass. The Dutch live to fight another day.
First effort for Holland as they manage to whip in a cross but Lieke Martens is unable to deflect her header on target.
Esther Gonzalex once again with an effort from the edge of the box as Van Domselaar gathers at the second attempt. Spain have all the pressure at the moment.
What a move from Spain. Hit the post twice as Van Domselaar produces a world class save from Redondo's header. The rebound goes directly to the Spanish attacker who\'s effort came back of the same post before it was cleared by the Spanish.
Chaos in the Spanish defence as a stray back pass causes issues for Coll. Her clearance goes straight to a Dutch player but to her relief the officials give the corner.
Redondo almost finishes as she arrives on the cut back from Aitana Bonmati but her effort flies over the bar to the relief of van Domselaar in the Dutch goal.
Spain have had the lions share of the possession with the first meaningful opportunity falling to them as Esther Gonzalez slaloms her way through the Dutch defence but her squared effort goes awry under pressure from the keeper.
The teams are going through their final motions in Wellington as they prepare for the first Quarter Final in the tournament.