2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Spain 2-1 Netherlands (After Extra Time)
2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup runners-up Netherlands have been knocked out by Spain in the quarter final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
In what was an absorbing encounter with no lack of suspense, both sides displayed immense quality.
However, Jorge Vilda’s ladies were more purposeful on the day, and they continue to make history by qualifying for the semi-final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time ever.
Andries Jonker’s side played second fiddle for most parts of the encounter, despite a bigger pedigree coming into the game.
It took a while before the first goal of the game was seen as Mariona Caldentey appeared to have scored the decisive goal in the 81st minute.
The Spaniards received a penalty in the 80 minute, which was remarkably finished by Caldentey.
Spain experienced a minor setback in the quarter-final
La Roja looked like they were coasting to victory until Inter Milan’s Stefanie van der Gragt scored a sublime goal for the Netherlands in the 1st minute of stoppage time.
The clash ended 1-1 after 90 minutes and it was unknown where the pendulum would swing.
Meanwhile, the star-studded Spanish side had other ideas as Salma Paralluelo scored a delightful goal in the 111th minute of action.
Paralluelo received a well placed pass from Jennifer Hermoso, before doing some step-overs which gave her some room in the box and definitely she did take full advantage of the opportunity she saw.
After 120 minutes of action in the quarter final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Spain progress into the Semi-final and they are in close sight of glory.
The game had a lot of refereeing moments as French refree Stephanie Frappart had to rescind a few decisions due to the aid of VAR.
Spain’s seeming opener in the 37th minute was cancelled after Esther Gonzalez was found to be in an offside position.
A yellow card which was also handed to Irene Parades of Spain and a resultant penalty to Lineth Beerensteyn of Netherland was also rescinded.
Meanwhile, only two penalties was dished out by Stephanie Frappart and it was shown to Oihane Hernandez of Spain in the 35th minute and Damaris Egurrola of Netherlands in the 61st minute.
2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Japan 1-2 Sweden
Both teams went into the game unbeaten, but one team tasted defeated in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup encounter.
Japan had won all their game at the tournament before their meeting with Sweden but they have narrowly crashed out of the tournament.
Both teams were neck and neck at each other and the possession count of 50% to 50% paints the exact story.
However, Peter Gerhardsson’s side converted more of their chances and they secure a spot in the semi-final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
For Japan, they bid bye-bye to the tournament, despite displaying quality in all their games in the mundial.
Futoshi Ikeda’s side only conceded 3 goals in 5 games, while they scored 15 massive goals.
Amanda Ilestedt netted her fourth goal in the tournament to take Sweden into the lead and in the second 45, Filippa Angeldal double their lead.
Hayashi scored the consolation against Sweden
Substitute Honoka Hayashi, who came on in the 80th minute scored the consolation for Japan 7 minutes later.
However, they had a glorious chance which they might be rueing now, as they received a penalty in the 76th minute of the game.
Japan’s Riko Ueki stepped up to play the penalty but she fired at her powerful shot at the crossbar, with the rebound cleared off the goal-line and out for safety.
Peter Gerhardsson’s side got a life-line and they ultimately earned their progression to the next round in a keenly contested encounter.
Sweden will now face Spain in the semi-final on Friday, September 22, 2023.
Throughout the 90 minutes of action referee Esther Staubli brandished only one Yellow card and it was shown to Riko Ueki of Japan.
