Salma Paralluelo (C) scored in extra time to guide Spain to victory over the Netherlands in a thrilling 2023 Women’s World Cup quarterfinal on Friday in Wellington, New Zealand. The photo, captured by Aaron Gillions/EPA-EFE, showcases the decisive moment.
On August 11, Salma Paralluelo scored a vital goal in extra time, propelling Spain to the semifinals of the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Later, Sweden secured their place in the semis by defeating Japan 2-1.
The third-ranked Sweden team will now challenge the sixth-ranked Spain team for a chance to compete in the final on August 20.
“You always dream of a moment like this,” said Spain manager Jorge Vilda during a Fox broadcast after the 2-1 victory on Friday. “This is the first time we have reached the semifinals. We are among the top four teams in the world, but we will not stop.
“Today, we celebrate, but tomorrow we will begin preparing for the semifinals because our aim is to be in the final.”
Spain dominated the match against the ninth-ranked Netherlands, outshooting them 26-10 at Wellington Regional Stadium. They also held a 50% to 31% advantage in possession and completed more passes, 671-396, than their opponents.
Within the first 20 minutes, Spain created several close scoring opportunities. In one attack, the ball hit the left post twice. However, striker Esther Gonzalez’s goal in the 37th minute was disallowed due to an off-side call, leaving the score tied at halftime.
The game remained scoreless through halftime. At the beginning of the second half, Gonzalez narrowly missed another chance to score when her shot grazed the right post.
In the 61st minute, the Netherlands appeared to win a penalty kick when Spain’s fullback Irene Paredes fouled striker Lineth Beerensteyn inside the box. After reviewing the play, the referees decided not to award the Netherlands the penalty kick.
Despite this, Spain later earned a penalty kick of their own after the Netherlands committed a handball inside the box. Forward Mariona Caldentey successfully converted the penalty in the 81st minute.
In the 91st minute, Netherlands fullback Stefani van der Gragt scored a dramatic equalizer. The goal came after midfielder Victoria Pelova delivered a pass from beyond midfield. Van der Gragt evaded several defenders and fired an 18-yard shot into the left side of the net. Both teams had opportunities in extra time, but Paralluelo’s goal in the 111th minute sealed the victory for Spain.
In that decisive play, midfielder Jenni skillfully maneuvered around defenders and spotted Paralluelo making a run from the left flank. Jenni then executed a well-timed pass towards Paralluelo, who controlled the ball and dribbled towards the box. Paralluelo evaded Netherlands defender Aniek Nouwen with a step-over move and struck the ball off the right post, sending it into the left side of the net.
Later on Friday, Sweden advanced to the semifinals after defeating Japan in Auckland, New Zealand.
The attacking play was fairly even between Sweden and Japan, with 12 and 11 attempts on target respectively. However, Japan had more shots on goal (6-3) but only managed to convert one.
“I am proud of the players for not giving up and fighting until the end,” said Japan manager Futoshi Ikeda. “It’s difficult to process everything right now, but I believe the players demonstrated Japan’s capabilities.”
In the 25th minute, Sweden striker Stina Blackstenius came close to scoring, but her shot narrowly missed the right post. Shortly after, fullback Amanda Ilestedt found the net for Sweden approximately seven minutes later, capitalizing on a scramble in the box after a 30-yard free-kick taken by Swedish midfielder Kosovare Asllani.
Asllani hit the inside of the right post with another close attempt in the 42nd minute, but Sweden did not extend their lead until the second half.
In the 74th minute, Sweden conceded a penalty after Madelen Janogy fouled Riko Ueki inside the box. Ueki took the penalty kick, but it hit the crossbar and failed to result in a goal.
However, Japan managed to reduce the deficit in the 87th minute. Forward Aoba Fujino’s free kick hit the crossbar and then struck the back of Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic before being cleared off the goal line. Moments later, Jun Endo passed to defender Kiko Seike in the left side of the Sweden box. Seike’s deflected pass fell to midfielder Honoka Hayashi, who struck a low shot into the net from around 10 yards out.
Japan had several additional close chances in stoppage time but could not find an equalizer, resulting in their elimination from the quarterfinals.
In the first Women’s World Cup semifinal, Sweden will face Spain at 4 a.m. EDT on Tuesday at Eden Park in Auckland.
In the other quarterfinal matches, host-country Australia (No. 10) will play against No. 5 France at 3 a.m. on Saturday in Brisbane, while No. 4 England will meet No. 25 Colombia at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday in Sydney. The winners of those matches will compete in the second semifinal at 6 a.m. on Wednesday in Sydney.
