August 11 – In a dramatic quarter-final, the first of four, Spain required extra time and a late strike from Salma Paraluello to knock out the Netherlands 2-1 and advance to the last four of the Women’s World Cup for the first time.
When Stefanie van der Gragt equalised with a fine strike in the 90th minute, it seemed that the Netherlands, who had been passed off the field by Spain’s impressive Tiki Taka and played a primitive long-ball strategy, were on the way to staging the ultimate holdup, but Paraluello dispelled any doubts of Spain’s supremacy with a superb strike in the 111th minute, marking the 19 year-old’s international breakthrough.
“We went to extra time, but the team kept on believing,” said coach Jorge Vilda. “They played on an extraordinary level, all players, and it was a match with a lot of emotional decisions, and the goal from Salma, it was sheer joy.”
The Dutch had stuck to a counterattacking game, leaving possession to the skilful Spanish. The 2017 European champions will however feel aggrieved after referee Stefanie Frappart chalked off a penalty when defender Irene Paredes barged Lineth Beerensteyn off the ball.
“It should have been a penalty after all, but it still doesn’t mean that Spain didn’t win deservedly,” said Dutch manager Andries Jonker.
In the 81st minute, Mariona Caldentey gave Spain the lead from the penalty spot after van der Gragt handled the ball inside the box. Beerensteyn had several opportunities to score in the final minutes of extra time, but couldn’t capitalize.
With the Netherlands’ exit, both finalists of the 2019 Women’s World Cup have departed the tournament. Spain will play the winner of Friday’s other quarter-final between Japan and Sweden.
The Scandinavians have strong credentials having eliminated the reigning world champions the United States while Japan thrashed Spain 4-0 to top Group C. Spain’s deep run is all the more remarkable after 15 of their players rebelled against how the federation and coach Vilda run the national team.
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