2023-08-11 04:10:00
Spain beat the Netherlands 2-1 following extra time in the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup in Wellington. Substitute Paralluelo scored the golden goal in the 111th minute. In the semi-finals, Spain will meet the winners of the Japan-Sweden match.
There was something ironic regarding Salma Paralluelo’s winning goal: it came from a one-on-one counterattack – a feat the Spaniards rarely had throughout the game. After all, they were the ones who put their stamp on the game and brought up their combination game.
That’s why their advance into the semi-finals is absolutely fine. Already in the 1st half they hit the post twice. In addition, a supposed goal was denied them by video decision. Without Daphne van Domselaar in the Dutch goal it would hardly have been 0-0 at the break.
The VAR and the penalties
After the change of sides, “La Roja” continued to press – and was almost 1-0 behind. Referee Stéphanie Frappart assessed Irene Paredes’s bumping into the fast and technically highly talented Lineth Beerensteyn as worthy of a penalty – but withdrew her decision following consulting the video images (63.).
In the 81st minute, the footage had to be checked once more. The question at stake was whether Dutch central defender Stefanie van der Gragt had blocked a cross inside or outside the penalty area with her hand. The decision: penalty. Mariona Caldentey took the chance and scored from the inside of the post to make it 1-0.
Van der Gragt’s crazy ending
The Dutch women, who started the game a little better in the second half, now had to focus even more on the offensive. One in particular did this: Penalty offender Van der Gragt was suddenly in the front line, was passed through steeply and balanced the ball into the net.
And before extra time, in the 11th minute of added time, Van der Gragt, playing her last game for the national team, deflected a Spanish cross towards her own goal, but Van Domselaar was there. That would have been too much.
In the extra time, the Dutch women actually had a little more of the game without creating top chances – and so they ran into the fatal counterattack in the 111th minute. A final corner in the 141st minute (including all added minutes) with all 11 Dutch women in or around the penalty area brought nothing.
This is how it goes
Spain will meet Japan or Sweden in the first semi-final next Tuesday (from 9:30 a.m. on SRF Zwei). In the other semi-final, the winners of the matches Australia – France and England – Colombia will face each other.
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