Goal in extra time has Spain edge past Netherlands to first ever World Cup semis

Teen dreams and a first-ever spot in last-4 on the horizon for La Roja; Lars Baron/Getty Images

Wellington, NZ: The first quarterfinal tie of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup saw two European heavyweights pitted against each other, in which Spain grinded out a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands, with Salma Celeste Paralluelo's extra time goal powering them to a first ever spot in the semifinals of a World Cup.

A game more akin to the Cold War burst into life as Mariona Caldentey converted a penalty in the 81st minute, and just 10 minutes later Stephanie Van der Gragts would thunder an equalizer past Cata Coll. 

Golden opportunities to seal the tie would arrive at the feet of Lineth Beerensteyn in extra time, with the Juventus striker failing to convert them, before Paralluelo punished the Dutch on the counter in the 111th minute, her goal the very first of her World Cup campaign.

"It means everything for me, it was a unique moment, great euphoria... I'm extremely happy," Paralluelo said.

The sequence which powered La Roja to just their second semi-finals appearance was a cruel twist of fate for the Dutch, who were set up for a counter-attacking game plan from the very first minutes, but with little to no success. The focal point for the litany of direct passes was pacey Beerensteyn. But a blurry vision upfront meant that the Spanish controlled the tie rather quickly, their inquisition heralded with Esther Gonzalez's shot whizzing past the far post in the 4th minute. Alba Redondo would be at the center of two opportunities; her 17th minute header saved brilliantly by Van Domselaar, while in the 37th, she would miss out on goal from close range, with the ball thundered in by Gonzalez into the top corner. The Dutch, however, would be saved by the offside flag, and shortly after, the halftime whistle.

Spain would pick up from where they left off and would continuously threaten to raid the Dutch penalty area, complete with their short, quick passing and fluid rotations. It all seemed to come undone in the 61st, after a throughball finally found Beerensteyn in space, who found her cue to fall inside the box with Paredes on her back. The referee would initially point to the spot, but would later overturn the decision after a VAR review.

Luck seemed to be on Spain's side, earning a penalty some 20 minutes later after Paralluelo's cross hit Van der Gragt's hand right on the edge of the penalty area, with Caldetey's measured shot hitting the post, but bouncing towards the back of the net, making it 1-0.

Caldentey (centre) celebrates her international first goal in a year; Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images

The Dutch decided to wake up from their slumber, as they desperately scrambled for a late equaliser, with Beerensteyn's blistering pace causing La Roja great troubles. But with fate intent on playing its usual tricks, the great leveller would be courtesy of Van der Gragt, after the centreback was fed a delicious throughball from Victoria Pelova in added time.

The Netherlands seemed reborn as Beerensteyn terrorised a fatigued Spanish defence, her shot just inches wide in the 108th, with her next attempt being a close-range volley, tipping over the crossbar. With her head in her hands, she perhaps could've missed a goal kick straight heading to Jenni Hermoso, instantly relaying a throughball to Paralluelo, who would go on and make history by slotting it coolly past the almighty Van Domselaar.

Van Domselaar could only look, but couldn’t touch; Lars Baron/Getty Images

"It's hard now," said the retiring Van der Gragt. "We had the chance in extra time and we didn't score, they had one chance and they scored. That's football."

Jorge Vilda, the Spanish head coach, was a man on cloud nine, to see his side progress in a backdrop of great domestic controversy. "We have always dreamed of something like this," said Vilda. "We are among the best teams in the world - but we are not stopping here. Today we want to celebrate, but tomorrow we start getting ready for the semi-finals."