2023-08-11 03:45:00
For the first time in their history, Spain reached the semi-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ with a 2-1 victory in extra time against the Netherlands.
The video referees were busy in the match with no less than three interventions.
In the first half, in the 38th minute, Esther Gonzalez and Alba Redondo combined beautifully to score the first goal of the game, but VAR ruled it offside.
On the hour mark, Lineth Beerensteyn was mowed down in the box by Irene Paredes, and the referee pointed straight for the penalty spot. However, his colleagues in the video room ruled that the footage did not merit an infraction, and the decision was reversed.
Fifteen minutes later, the Spaniard Salma Paralluelo sent a cross into the area, touched with the hand by Stefanie van der Gragt. After review, a 9-yard shot was awarded. Striker Mariona Caldentey did not miss her chance and beat the Dutch goalkeeper on her right. His shot hit the post before entering, enough to thrill the 32,021 supporters gathered at Sky Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand.
But not so fast! Defender van der Gragt redeemed herself in the best possible way by sneaking behind the defense of the Roja to tie the game in the 92nd and force overtime.
Then, in overtime, Paralluelo returned to the charge. The Spanish winger exploded down the left and managed to open a shooting window to go there with a perfect left shot to thwart goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar. The Spaniards held on for ten minutes after the goal.
The Dutch are therefore unable to repeat their exploits of four years ago, when they lost in the final against the United States in the 2019 edition.
Among the winners, note that Oihane Hernandez will be suspended for the semi-final as she received a yellow card in the match, a second in the tournament.
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