Paralluelo scores in extra time as Spain beats Netherlands to reach Women's World Cup semifinals
Salma Paralluelo scored deep in extra time to give Spain a 2-1 win over Netherlands on 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 a tight knockout match between European soccer heavyweights whose men's teams already have storied World Cup histories.
Netherlands lost the final to the United States in France four years ago, and now both teams have exited the tournament.
The 19-year-old Paralluelo made her break down the left, pivoted momentarily and from a difficult angle launched a left-foot shot into the back of the net 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 81st minute which Mariona Caldentey converted to give Spain a 1-0 lead. Then, right at the start of stoppage time, she timed a run brilliantly from Victoria Pelova's through ball and added a polished finish to level the scores.
One on one with Spain keeper Cata Coll, she fired her shot precisely into the left side of the net.
Spain made history by reaching their first <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWWC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWWC</a> Semi-Final with a 2-1 win over Netherlands!
