Spain defeated Netherlands 2-1 gets to their first women's world cup semifinal with a Salma Paralluelo’s goal
Posted : 11 August 2023
In a historic match, teenage winger Salma Paralluelo came off the bench to secure a 111th-minute victory for Spain, propelling them into the Women's World Cup semi-finals for the first time.
Spain's Mariona Caldentey initially appeared to seal the win in regular time with an 80th-minute penalty that she struck powerfully into the net after Stefanie van der Gragt handled the ball in the box.
However, Van der Gragt went from being the cause of a penalty to a hero as she equalized for the Netherlands with a powerful strike in stoppage time. The Netherlands, who were runners-up in the 2019 World Cup final against the USA, managed to level the score.
It was during extra time that Salma Paralluelo found her moment of glory. The 19-year-old received a well-placed pass from Jenni Hermoso, remained composed in the penalty area, and executed a perfect shot that hit the left post before going in. This goal not only secured Spain's victory but also made Paralluelo the youngest scorer for Spain in a Women's World Cup and a rising star in the sport.
An ecstatic Paralluelo expressed, "It means everything for me, it was a unique moment, great euphoria... I'm extremely happy."
Coach Jorge Vilda praised the team's relentless determination, stating, "They played on an extraordinary level, all the players, and it was a match with a lot of emotional decisions, and the goal from Salma, it was sheer joy."
Spain is now set to face either Japan or Sweden in the semi-finals, with the match scheduled for Tuesday. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Spanish women's football, as they continue their journey towards the World Cup title.
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