World Cup Semifinals, Day 1: Spain narrowly tops Netherlands for first semis in history

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It came down to the wire, but Spain is going to the semifinals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. They will face the winner of Sweden and Japan, who play on Friday at 3:30 a.m. ET.




Spain 2, Netherlands 1 (aet)



The Big Story: Spain booked a spot in the World Cup semifinals for the first time when 19-year-old Salma Paralluelo scored on a solo effort in the second extra time period to eliminate the Netherlands. The winner came moments after Lineth Beerensteyn misfired on a golden opportunity at the other end. It was at least the third time Beerensteyn entered the Spanish box with a chance to score, but came up empty. After the third chance, the ensuing goal kick was won in midfield by Jenni Hermosso who turned and beat two Dutch defenders with the outlet ball to Paralluelo, who did the rest of the work.

THE 19-YEAR-OLD HAS DONE IT FOR SPAIN pic.twitter.com/w8RjhkGWP4
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 11, 2023

Spain forged ahead in the 81st minute when Mariona Caldentey narrowly converted a penalty that kissed the left post before heading in. But the Netherlands did not go quietly. Stefanie Van Der Gragt, whose arm was just inside the area when it touched the ball to give Spain the penalty, cheated forward and scored an equalizer early in stoppage time, sending the game into extra time.

LATE DRAMA

What an incredible moment for Netherlands and absolutely sensational strike from Stefanie van der Gragt to draw the Dutch level in stoppage time! pic.twitter.com/dDfRJ2nRhe
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 11, 2023

The Big Moment: After Spain dominated much of the opening half and early part of the second, the Netherlands got in behind on the hour. Beerensteyn shed her mark running onto a gorgeous delivery and was taken down from behind by Aniek Nouwen’s recovery run. After an initial penalty call, a VAR review overturned the call, denying the Netherlands a chance to take the lead from the spot. So much happened after this moment, but it would have changed the entire scope of the match had they been able to play from the lead at any juncture.

The final decision after the review is… NO PENALTY pic.twitter.com/aizUw0cMMX
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 11, 2023

What it means: After announcing themselves to the world by only narrowly losing to eventual champions the United States in the Round of 16 four years ago, Spain enter the final four of the World Cup for the first time where they will face either Sweden or rematch Japan, who defeated them in group play, 4-0. It means they will play the maximum seven matches and have positioned themselves on the verge of being a world power in the women’s game.

SPAIN IS IN FRONT

Caldentey puts La Roja ahead from a terrific penalty pic.twitter.com/m91wJlwCYx
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 11, 2023

As for the Netherlands, the quarterfinal exit was their second in as many summers having gone out at the same stage at the EUROS in 2022. They played this World Cup without injured Vivianne Miedema and played the quarterfinal without Daniėlle van de Donk who was suspended for yellow card accumulation. They almost did enough to let van de Donk — who had not been outside a Netherlands starting lineup in a decade — live to see another match but it was not to be. Add in a quiet tournament from Lieke Martens and it is fair to wonder if we have seen the peak of what has been a glorious run for Dutch women’s soccer.




— Dan Lauletta



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