Spain earned the right to dream. The quarterfinal victory over the Netherlands, decided in thrilling extra time, stood as the ultimate test. Until then, Spain had never beaten a similarly or higher ranked major opponent in a non-friendly match. For more than ninety minutes, they dominated and produced a performance that felt like it came from another world. They moved with pace, played with purpose, and showed that this moment could belong to them, as they carried the team through the most important game in its history with a result to savor.
Relating to
- Spain in the semi-finals of the World Cup
- This is how the Spain vs Netherlands quarter-final was told during the Women’s World Cup
- Eight stars from
Wooden resolve guided Jorge Vilda. Don’t question those who already prove their value. The coach honored that commitment. He played ten of the eleven players who faced Switzerland. One change: Mariona Caldentey came in for Salma Paralluelo. Two great heroes, to be exact, boosting the midfield and neutralizing the Dutch diamond.
Despite a first spell of intense Netherlands pressure, Spain absorbed the pressure and, with patience, order, and composure, began to carve out gaps, mature the game, and take control. They were completely in command from there.
GENERAL AREA
There were no shots on goal early on, largely thanks to the strength and resilience of the Spanish defense against the Netherlands. Irene Paredes and Laia Codina stood out at the back, while the offensive trio pressed high and repeatedly threatened. Spain accumulated eleven attempts, with two shots hitting the crossbar and another narrowly saved by the goalkeeper. A moment when Esther Gonzalez appeared to score was ruled offside, while Batlle came close with a well-timed run that drew praise for its timing. Mariona Caldentey and Jenni Hermoso combined on the left flank to create danger, with a crossbar strike just before halftime signaling that the breakthrough might come soon. It seemed only a matter of time before the ball found the net, yet it did not arrive until the 81st minute.
There were earlier signs of strain for the Dutch, who clung to their plan while Spain stayed patient. Early on, it appeared as though Andries Jonker believed his selections would hold the day, sticking to his approach without changes. Spain continued to press forward, and Esther Gonzalez again found herself close to a goal, but the ball slipped away at a key moment.
THE JUSTICE OF THE VAR
The match hung on a razor edge, and a second looked set to tilt it. A VAR review influenced a subtle, yet decisive, decision that kept Spain alive. Shortly after, technology worked in Spain’s favor again when a penalty was awarded after a handball by a Dutch player inside the box. Mariona Caldentey, always present in the moment of need, stepped up and delivered, sparking a burst of energy that unleashed the crowd’s frenzy in Wellington.
Yet the drama did not end there. As the clock moved into stoppage time of the extra period, Van der Gragt struck to level the scores, beating a well-organized backline and leaving Spain momentarily stunned before regrouping again.
The match extended into overtime. When it seemed the Dutch might seize control, Spain made decisive changes that altered the course. It became clear that the home team was now in the ascendancy, while Beerenstein faced repeated challenges in containing the surge. Salma Paralluelo, in particular, rose to the occasion. Left unmarked by the Dutch defense, she accelerated, controlled, and finished with a precise cross-shot that pierced the goalkeeper’s reach and buried the ball in the net. Her teammates, both those who performed brilliantly and those who faced tougher moments, rallied to celebrate the moment of triumph.
VERY SURPRISE AT THE CELEBRATION
The final whistle triggered a wave of unabashed joy. Smiles, tears, embraces, and a chorus of congratulations swelled around the squad. The moment carried with it a story to tell for years to come, a testament to what this group had achieved under pressure. There was no hiding the sense that history had just been rewritten.
Even amid the exhilaration of continuing to make history, the players recognized the context of their achievement. The path forward remained challenging, and while the celebration was loud, there was an understanding that every step taken had its price and its consequence.