Soccer World Cup

Paralluelo’s Extra-Time Goal Gives Spain a Win over the Dutch and a Women’s World Cup Semifinal Spot

AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino
Spain’s head coach Jorge Vilda attends a press conference ahead of the Women’s World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Netherlands in Wellington, New Zealand, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023.

By STEVE McMORRAN AP Sports Writer

13:30 JST, August 11, 2023

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Salma Paralluelo scored deep in extra time to give Spain a 2-1 win over Netherlands Friday and send the sixth-ranked nation into the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup for the first time.

The teenager struck in the 111th minute of an tight clash between European heavyweights whose men’s teams already have storied World Cup histories.

The 19-year-old made her break down the left side, pivoted momentarily and from a difficult angle sent the ball into the back of the neck for the winner.

Netherlands defender Stefanie van der Gragt had turned from villain to hero in the last 10 minutes of regular time. She conceded a penalty for hand ball in the 80th minute which Mariona Caldentey converted to give Spain a 1-0 lead. Then in the 90th minute and pushed forward, she timed a run brilliantly from Victoria Pelova’s through ball and added a polished finish to level the scores.