Spain wins first ticket to semi-finals of Women's World Cup 2023

Substitute Salma Paralluelo's extra-time goal helped the Spanish women's team beat the Netherlands women's team 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Women's World Cup. Spain has won the first ticket to the semi-finals of the 2023 Women's World Cup.

A fierce aerial ball fight between defender Stefanie van der Gragt (left) of the Netherlands and striker Esther Gonzalez of Spain. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

The Spanish women's team will face the defending runners-up Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Women's World Cup. The match started slowly as both teams started cautiously. As in men's football, Spain usually have the majority of the ball possession and gradually put pressure on the opponent's goal.

In the 11th minute, the goalpost saved the Dutch women's team after two consecutive shots by Redondo. In the 37th minute, Esther Gonzalez made the net shake with a close-range tap-in, but unfortunately she was offside. The two teams entered the break with a 0-0 draw, with the Spanish women's team playing more sharply.

The ball fight between Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati (left) and Netherlands midfielder Jackie Groenen. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

In the second half, the Spanish women's team maintained their proactive style of play with diverse attacking options. Controversy broke out in the 62nd minute when the Dutch women's team was awarded a penalty after Lineth Beerensteyn fell in the penalty area. However, after consulting VAR, referee Stephanie Frappart "blow the whistle".

In the 81st minute, a penalty was awarded to the Spanish women's team after the Netherlands' Stefanie van der Gragt used her hand to play the ball in the penalty area. On the 11m mark, Maria Caldentey's shot hit the inside of the post and flew into the net of the Dutch women's team.

It was thought that the defending runner-up would accept returning home, but in the 90+2 minute, Van der Gragt "made amends" with an equalizer to tie the match 1-1, thereby dragging the match into extra time.

Entering extra time, the Spanish women's team was still the better team and their efforts were rewarded. In the 111th minute, after the Dutch women's team missed their chance, the Spanish women's team counterattacked sharply and scored the final goal, 2-1, thanks to substitute Salma Paralluelo.