Women’s World Cup Takeaways: Spain edges Netherlands in extra-time thriller

The quarterfinals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup have begun in dramatic trend.

In a fiery match between the Netherlands and Spain, La Roja squeezed a 2-1 win over a decided Dutch facet.

While the Spanish progress to the semifinals for the primary time of their historical past, a robust Netherlands squad have headed dwelling.

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THE RESULTS

Quarterfinals: Spain 2, Netherlands 1 (in Wellington) – Game stats || Report

MAIN TALKING POINTS

Extra-time strike makes historical past for Spain

After a back-and-forth match, Spain rose above the Dutch to safe their first semi-final berth of their Women’s World Cup historical past.

La Roja started the match with ardour and finesse. They pressured the Netherlands’ defence, supplied sustained assaults and saved the ball within the last third for almost all of the primary half.

However, whereas Jorge Vilda’s facet seemed sturdy and compact, they had been unfortunate in entrance of the online. They maybe made too many passes with out a shot and waited to create their “perfect goal,” which by no means got here.

In the second half, Spain saved momentum after Esther Gonzalez narrowly missed the online 30 seconds in. Later on, after a Dutch handball within the field, Mariona Caldentey transformed the penalty from the spot to provide Spain a one-goal benefit.

Despite a late equalizer from Stefanie van der Gragt, La Roja didn’t quit in extra-time. In the 111th minute, 19-year-old Salma Paralluelo slotted the ball into the underside proper nook, which despatched shockwaves and cheers throughout the stadium. It was a objective the Spanish will keep in mind for a very long time.

Spain will play the winner of Japan vs. Sweden within the subsequent spherical.

Netherlands despatched packing after valiant effort

The Netherlands had a shaky begin to say the least. They didn’t strain Spain’s midfield, and performed so deep that La Roja had time and house within the last third to create threatening alternatives.

Star striker Jill Roord was uncharacteristically silenced, and it was the primary time this event that they didn’t rating within the first half of a match.

Truthfully, the Dutch had been fortunate to make it by means of the primary half with out getting scored on. Gonzalez’s tap-in was dominated offside, and van Domselaar’s reaching save prevented Redondo’s close-range shot.

But because the match went on, Andries Jonker’s facet performed with extra power and confidence. They had stable runs alongside the flanks and performed larger up the pitch, which pressured the Spanish defence.

Van der Gragt’s gorgeous objective in second half harm time added late drama and despatched the match to extra-time. In the primary couple of minutes after the break, Martens and Beerensteyn recorded two pictures heading in the right direction, which indicated the squad’s shift in mentality.

However, the Netherlands’ resurgence wasn’t sufficient to defeat La Roja in Wellington. The Dutch might have bowed out of the event, however they delivered some sensational moments within the course of.

GOAL OF THE DAY

After conceding a penalty that gave Spain the benefit, Stefanie van der Gragt redeemed herself. In second-half harm time, the 30-year-old soared previous La Roja’s defenders and hammered dwelling the equalizer.

Van der Gragt’s strike was additionally the 147th objective scored on this Women’s World Cup, which is a brand new report for the event.

MOMENT OF THE DAY

Salma Paralluelo’s successful objective within the 111th minute was historic. Not solely was it the newest successful objective in Women’s World Cup historical past, however she turned the youngest Spaniard to attain within the event within the course of.

THREE STARS OF THE DAY

1. Daphne van Domselaar, Netherlands: 17 minutes in, the 23-year-old made an unbelievable reaching save to forestall Spain from taking an early lead. Alba Redondo had a free header on internet, however the Aston Villa keeper’s response was world-class.

2. Stefanie van der Gragt, Netherlands: After conceding a penalty, van der Gragt broke free and beat the Spanish backline. She struck the ball quick and clear into the far nook, which will likely be a second to recollect in her last worldwide event.

3. Mariona Caldentey, Spain: After a Dutch handball on the sting of the field, the 27-year-old discovered the underside left nook from the penalty spot to provide La Roja the primary objective of the match – and a lift of confidence.

LOOKING AHEAD

Quarterfinal motion continues on Friday when Japan (No. 11) takes on Sweden (No. 3) at 3:30 a.m. ET /1 2:30 a.m. PT in Auckland.