Spain vs Netherlands, summary: Salma, score, goals & highlights | Women’s World Cup 2023 quarter-finals

Signing off...

Thank you for joining the coverage of this fantastically dramatic game!

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Joe

Full-time match report:

Again, where do I begin?

Spain are through to the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history after beating the Netherlands 2-1 after 120 minutes.

One of Japan or Sweden await La Roja.

After a first half in which Spain dominated in every aspect, hitting the post and having a goal ruled out, the game saw VAR drama take hold in the second period when a penalty was awarded to the Dutch for a foul by Paredes.

The VAR was consulted and the decision was overturned; moments later, Spain were awarded their own penalty after a handball by van der Gragt. Mariona put the ball in the net and Spain looked certain to progress.

But the shock came in the final minutes when van der Gragt herself smacked a shot past Cata Coll to send the game to extra-time.

Spain continued to dominate and it took until the 111th minute for Salma to break away and fire Spain through to the final four.

SPAIN ARE THROUGH TO THE SEMI-FINAL

FULL TIME IN NEW ZEALAND

Alexia clears!

Corner the the Netherlands. The goalkeeper is up. 

They couldn't, could they?

2 added minutes.

EvaNavarro heads over from a tight angle after Salma did well to keep the ball in play down the left.

We're into the final minute of the game. 

Eva Navarro presses well and almost finds herself 1vs1 with van Domselaar, but the Dutch defence do well to clear.

Salma is going to get many MVP awards for her goal if Spain end up winning this, but the physical performance by Jenni Hermoso in the middle of the pitch has been sensational.

Salma is clattered into by Beerensteyn as the pair challenge for a high ball. Frustration is creeping in for the Dutch players, as you might expect.

Spain are looking for more goals...

The first time Salma is left on her own she goes and does that. Stunning play.

How the goal happened:

I'll explain: Beerensteyn fired over from just yards out after a cross was put in from the right.

Spain played the goal-kick quickly and fed the ball into midfield, where Jenni spotted the gap.

Salma was played through by Jenni, ran down the left channel towards goal, flicked the ball onto her left foot and smashed a rocket into the far corner of the goal!!!

WHAT A GOAL

SO CLOSE FROM JUST YARDS OUT

OVER THE BAR FROM THE NETHERLANDS

Ivana kept stepping off the player as she charged towards goal, and Beerensteyn's low shot towards the far post crept agonisingly past the goal!

SO CLOSE FROM BEERENSTEYN

Spain start off where they left off, on the edge of the opposition box.

Casparij ON

Van der Gragt OFF

And we're off again!

Fifteen minutes to go...

The Netherlands look tired and like they'd be happy with penalties.

Spain have batteredthem again and certainly look like the team closest to scoring.

Let's see...

Half-time in extra time!

All square and we'll be back in a moment.

The changes have certainly perked Spain up: the passing looks crisp and there is suddenly a lot more movement ahead of the ball.

Two added minutes.

It's all Spain now, who have the Netherlands pinned into their own box once again.

Eva Navarro floats a cross to the back post and a seemingly slow header is dramatically saved by the goalkeeper!

CHANCE FOR JENNI HERMOSO

Alexia pokes a pass around the corner to Eva Navarro, but the Atlético player's touch is heavy and the ball rolls out of play.

Let's see what the two-time Ballon d'Or winner can do!

Alexia & Eva Navarro ON

Mariona & Esther OFF

Spain's passing is getting just a little sloppy in tighter areas, perhaps as a result of fatigue.

Jenni tries her luck from the edge of the box but the shot is high and wide.

Dijkstra ON

Damaris OFF

Again, Damaris is down.

The ball is won back and played quickly across goal from the right: Ivana's excellent clearance saves Spain!

CHANCE FOR THE NETHERLANDS

Cata Coll now saves a shot from Lieke Martens, who is found after a Beerensteyn cross.

Cata Coll catches a shot/cross from Beerensteyn, who has clearly had her oranges in the dressing room.

We're off again!

Spain kick us off.

One is on the right; Olga comes on at left-back.

Olga Carmona ON

Oihane OFF

This is the first time Spain have played in extra-time at a World Cup

They have played in two at previous Euros tournaments, and they lost them both...

Where do I begin?

We have had it all in that second half, a true delight of a football match.

The Netherlands looked dead and buried for over 90 minutes, and a goal from nowhere thanks to a sleepy Spanish defence has given them a lifeline that nobody expected!

30 more minutes coming up from New Zealand!

Extra-time, here we come!

And that's all!

Into the last minute of added time and van der Gragt almost spoons an own goal into the net following a cross from the left that she failed to clear.

It's still Spain with possession as they tap the ball from left to right, looking for a way into the Netherlands' defensive block.

A penny for Jorge Vilda's thoughts...

Spain are trying their best to hold onto the ball and carve out a chance against the adrenaline-filled Dutch.

Spain are on the ropes as the match is flipped on it's head; it's going to take something to calm down the Dutch now who look revitalised.

The player who gave away the penalty has certainly redeemed herself as things stand.

A simple through ball fell to van der Gragt who was all on her own and she smashed a shot past Cata Coll to stun the entire stadium!!!

I DON'T BELIEVE IT

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLL

THE NETHERLANDS EQUALISE

12 (TWELVE) MINUTES ADDED TIME

The forward took the ball on the right, skipped past Oihane onto her right foot and slid a low shot towards the far postandout for a goal-kick.

BEERENSTEYN WITH A HUGE CHANCE

We're into the final minute of normal time.

A late surge of pressure is coming from the Dutch - do they realise they've been allowed to do the same for the past hour and a half?

Nouwen ON

Brugts OFF

Martens whacks a typical fireball of a long-range effort into the chest of the Spain captain, Irene Paredes.

Irene almost makes an immediate impact as she finds space with the ball on the edge of the box, but her shot is blocked.

Irene Guerrero ON

Aitana OFF

CATA COLL SAVES A SHOT FROM BEERENSTEYN

Spain were caught out 3vs2 as the Dutch attacked but the forward refused to pass, choosing to go alone (her teammates are not happy).

Snoejis ON

Spitse OFF

Van Domselaar tips a halfway line effort from Tere over the bar!

Back underway!

The penalty was low and to the left, smacking off the post and in as the goalkeeper dived the other way.

MARIONA PUTS IT IN OFF THE POST

Mariona to take...

The player was on the line but it looks like her arm was inside the box as the balls struck her outstretched hand.

PENALTY TO SPAIN!!!

More VAR drama! The referee is looking at the screen for a possible penalty!

VAR is taking a look. It did look like a handball...

Shouts for handball as van der Gragt deflects Salma's cross out for a corner.

Ivana Andrés ON

Laia Codina OFF

It looks like Laia headed the ball at an awkward angle and she's going to have to be taken off.

32,021 in attendance at today's game.

Laia Codina is down with what looks to be ahead injury.

Aitana covers well at right-back after Pelova's searching ball nearly finds Lieke Martens in behind. 

Mariona lays off the Real Madrid midfielder on the edge of the box and a low drive is well stopped by the goalkeeper.

TERE'S SHOT SAVED BY VAN DOMSELAAR

Beerensteyn and her incessantrunning is starting to cause Spain some issues, or at least is giving them something to think about.

Cata Coll has been called upon a few times over the past 10 minutes to clean up the loose balls.

We're into the final 20 minutes...

Salma Paralluelo ON

Alba Redondo OFF

I think the Dutch have finally realised that they too can press when not in possession...

Spainsee a half chance go missing as Jenni gets the ball on the left of the box and side-foots a strange pass/shot towards the far post that is cleared away with a last-gasp hook of a leg by Spitse.

Salma is readying herself to come on for Spain...

Laia Codina and Irene Paredes head away a pair of crosses as the Netherlands have their first genuine attempt to make Spain defend in their own area.

We're back underway; let's see how the next few minutes go after that shock.

The referee has deemed the contact not enough to be a penalty. Spain survive.

NO PENALTY!!!!

The referee is taking a look at the VAR screen...

A ball in behind the Spanish defence is sent towards Beerensteyn and Paredes gets tangled behind her, bringing the player down.

OUT OF NOWHERE

PENALTY TO NETHERLANDS!!!

Wilms ON

Roord OFF

Damaris gets a booking for a late challenge on Tere.

Back underway. Half an hour to go.

Spain have created 13 attempts on goal

Here are the top creators so far:

Esther: 3 

Alba: 3

Oihane: 2

Damaris is down after taking a ball in the face...

The back three of the Netherlands is once again stretched to breaking point as Alba Redondo breaks in behind and almost gets on the end of a threaded ball from Esther.

Van Domselaar collects but the Dutch are bailing water here...

The ball finds Esther on the left of the box but it doesn't fall right at her feet and the forward can't get it in a position to fire a shot towards goal.

Tere does fantastically well to break past two defenders but her cross is too high for anyone in the box to make contact. 

The plan and pattern of the game, for now, appears to be the same.

The Netherlands have tried to hit balls in behind the Spanish defence which have been cleaned up for now and Spain's press is still ferocious.

Mariona tries her luck from distance with a shot that is saved by van Domselaar.

Dangerous play again from Spain: Mariona looks to be fouled as she burns past her marker and into the danger zone, but her pass is accurate to Esther and the move carries on.

The ball falls to Aitana on the edge of the box who uncharacteristically loses possession with a simple pass.

Nobody closes down the ex-Levante forward as she finds time and space on the edge of the box to whip a low shot wide of the far post!

ESTHER WITH AN EARLY CHANCE

Second half underway!

And we're off again!

No changes for either side.

The players are back out for the second half...

Let's see if we see any changes to how the game went in the first 45.

Spain have been excellent for 45 minutes - will it continue?

And if it weren't for the woodwork, they'd certainly be ahead by now.

Half-time report:

Somehow, this game is still level, but in all aspects of the play, there has been nothing equal about it.

Jorge Vilda's side have dominated the entire half. taking control of possession in all areas of the pitch and they have come close with plenty of chances.

Alba hit the post twice as Spain racked up over 10 shots in 45 minutes of play, but they came closest with Esther, who actually had the ball in the back of the net, a goal that was ruled out for a slight offside.

Spain's performance has been fantastic, with the press working superbly well and all players fully committed to carrying it out.

Let's see what the Dutch change for the second half, as they certainly cannot continue like this if they want their World Cup dream to remain alive.

Half-time!

That's the first 45 done. No goals so far.

Spain have Netherlands completely pinned inside their own box...

More space is given to the full-back who drives inside and whips a curling shot over the crossbar from the edge of the box.

ONA FIRES OVER FROM DISTANCE

Beerensteyn skips past the challenge from Laia and plays back towards Martens on the penalty spot, but the original ball down the line from Roord was offside.

We've got 4 added minutes.

Almost another chance for Spain as Esther receives in the central space from Oihane and spins on a sixpence before seeing the ball stabbed away on the edge of the box.

Esther was found in behind by Mariona who had burst through the Dutch midfield line, and the striker's low, driven shot was well saved at the near post.

BIG SAVE FROM VAN DOMSELAAR

We've had a few more long balls pumped in behind Spain's defence by the Dutch who are obviously looking to get their stats up before we head into the half-time break.

A huge sigh of relief for the Dutch. Ona span away on the left wing and sent a cross to the far post which was met by Alba Redondo.

The forward tapped the ball square to Esther who smashed it into the empty net, but the replay shows she was indeed in an advanced position.

As you were...

OFFSIDE!

We've got a VAR check...

ESTHER

She's back on her feet and looks good to go.

Oihane is booked for the challenge and will miss a potential semi-final.

Groenen is down and seems to be in a lot of pain.

It was Oihane who caught her with a slightly late attempt at a tackle.

A good cross from Oihane is caught by van Domselaar, who did well to stay alert and come off her line at the right time.

Ona does well to follow and eveutally tackle Pelova inside the Spanish box: the football continues to be more and more positive from the Oranje.

Spain are still pressing high but the play is better from the Dutch side who are now beginning to find midfield triangles in the middle third of the pitch.

Much better from the Oranje.

Beerensteyn wins the foot race against Oihane and plays back to Brugts whose cross skims over the head of Martens, flying wide. Nervy.

CHANCE FOR THE NETHERLANDS

The Netherlands have what might be their first sustained spell of possession.

It ends after Cata clears a clipped through ball behind the Spain defence aimed towards Lieke Martens.

8 attempts so far for Spain.

Oihane sees her shot blocked as the ball falls to her on the edge of the box following a cross from deep. Spain are dominating at the moment (and probably should be 2-0 up).

Mariona fires wide shortly after.

The striker worked her way towards the edge of the box and hit a ferocious effort than was calmly saved by the goalkeeper.

ESTHER SHOOTS FROM DISTANCE

SAVED BY VAN DOMSELAAR

And we're back underway.

Laia and Beerensteyn clashed heads but both players are OK to carry on as normal.

Defender LaiaCodinaisdown for Spain and we've got a pause in play.

Mariona's pass over the top towards Alba Redondo was stunning and the header was tipped onto the post.

Alba herself got on the rebound but she was falling as she hit the ball and it bounced back off the same post!

OFF THE POST TWICE FOR SPAIN!!!!

Groenen has a lot to do today at the base of the Dutch midfield, but she does well to track Aitana who had burst down the left side.

A bit of an issue between Cata Coll and Irene Paredes, who plays a horrible pass to the goalkeeper and she's forced to clear it.

The ball lands at the feet of Brugts who shoots from distance and sees her shot deflected out.

Van der Gragt wins a header from a deep set piece that bounces out, almost for a throw-in. As close as they've come, so far.

Spain build up well on the left before sending a ball towards Oihane in space on the opposite wing, but her touch is slightly too heavy to Alba Redondo and the Netherlands survive another scare.

Watching the ball be fired around by red shirts in the central spaces is like trying to catch a mosquito with a pair of chopsticks. It's moving so fast I can't keep up!

The Netherlands' plan is definitely to find Beerensteyn behind the Spanish back-line, and Cata Coll is playing high up the pitch in order to sweep them up.

Spain's press in the early stages has been simply stunning: they have not given the opposition a moment of peace and are all communicating clearly on the pitch to drive them back.

Warning signs for the Oranje as Mariona is allowed to fire a delightful pass through the lines to Aitana, who cuts the ball back to Alba, but her shot goes over from close range.

ALBA REDONDO

ANOTHER CHANCE FOR SPAIN

Esther, Mariona an Jenni all link up superbly well on the edge of the box and Jenni's filtered pass squeaks through the defenders and lands at the feet of Esther, whose shot is misplaced and bobbles wide.

ESTHER SO CLOSE

BIG CHANCE FOR SPAIN

The Netherlands have already aimed a few long-ish balls towards Beerensteyn and Irene Paredes, let's see if it carries on as the game progresses.

Vilda is already pacing up and down the Spanish technical area...

An early touch for Cata Coll in the Spanish goal as Spain look to keep the ball in the opening stages.

It's Lieke Martens' 150th international cap today.

And we're off!

The first of the quarter-finals are underway in New Zealand!

Spain are in all red; the Netherlands are playing in their delightful all-navy away strip.

A quick rendition of the national anthems before we get going

Spain's lyric-less tune is much of a muchness. Serious faces all round.

The Netherlands have a ever-so-slightly happier song, and it was performed fairly well by all.

Nice job, probably a score draw there between the two.

The players are in the tunnel!

I am so excited - and I hope you are too!

Who will go through?

Let me know on @English_AS on Twitter, I'll chat away all night about the WWC.

The warmups are over!

The players have made their way down the tunnel at the stadium and are currently listening to the managers' final team talks!

A reminder of the starting XIs:

If you've just joined us, here are the starting XIs for the two sides:

SPAIN [4-3-3]:

Cata

Oihane - Irene - Laia - Ona

Tere - Aitana - Jenni

Alba - Esther - Mariona

Manager: Jorge Vilda

***

NETHERLANDS [3-1-4-2]:

van Domselaar

Spitse - van der Gragt - Janssen

Groenen

Pelova - Roord - Damaris - Brugts

Beerensteyn - Martens

Manager: Andries Jonker

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2023

Spain vs Netherlands: times, how to watch on TV and stream online | Women’s World Cup

Fancy watching the game today as well as following it live with myself on AS USA? 

Well, Will's got you covered with this handy guide on how to tune in.

Find out how to watch La Roja take on the Oranje in the first of the quarter-final ties at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Jorge Vilda pre-game quotes:

Ex-teammates say hello!

Alexia and Martens played together at Barcelona, where they won the Champions League together after beating Chelsea in the final.

Who's that on the left?

Yes, it's Damaris, who is starting in place of Danielle van de Donk today for, ahem, The Netherlands.

Damaris made a switch of nations after having played all her international youth football with La Roja and, most significantly, with current Spain manager Jorge Vilda betting on her for every step of the way.

However, disagreements led to Damaris not receiving a call and and she ultimately changed her loyalties, and is now a solid option for the Oranje as she seeks World Cup glory.

Spain arrive at the stadium

Not long to go as kick-off approaches, and La Roja are already present at the ground. 

Expect warmups to commence in around half an hour.

Player to watch: Oihane

Keep an eye on Spain's right-back, Oihane.

The player has made the move to Real Madrid this summer from Athletic Bilbao and will get a taste of UEFA Women's Champions League football for the side in the 23/24 season.

An incredibly quick runner, she has no issues in getting forward and provides a genuine threat from her fantastic crossing.

If Spain are getting ready to battle it out in midfield against the opposition today, expect Oihane to come up with something from her wide position on the right.

Netherlands starting XI:

It's the strongest possible starting XI for The Netherlands tonight as stars such as Martens, Groenen, Damaris, Roord and van Domselaar all start the game.

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2023

Spain spoiled for choice between the sticks

With the starting XI announced very early by Jorge Vilda, here's some reading on just how the dilemma of the goalkeeper in the Spain team is being played out.

Before the Japan debacle, Misa was the number one choice with Barça goalkeeper Sandra Paños being left out of the 23 player squad in favour of younger, fresher faces.

But now, given her wobbly performances, it's Paños' understudy, Cata Coll, who has taken the role of number one choice as shot-stopper.

Read the full story of just what's happened

All smiles ahead of kick-off

The Spanish national team are continuing to make history with every step they take at this World Cup - and the players certainly know it!

Where is the game being played?

The WellingtonRegionalStadium is the host stadium for the game today.

The 34,500-capacity bowl was built in 1999 and mainly hosts rugby and football matches, as well as other events in Wellington.

It was also the scene of the now famous Japan 4-0 Spain game in the group stages, so Spain will be hoping that they can banish those ghosts ahead of kick-off in around 90 minutes.

Spain starting XI:

GK: Cata retains her place in goal ahead of Misa.

DEF: Ona Battle, Irene Paredes, Laia Codina and Oihane make up the back 4

MID: Tere is the pivot behind Aitana and Jenni

ATT: Esther will be partnered with Alba and Mariona up front

Who is the referee?

The referee today is StéphanieFrappart, perhaps the most famous female referee in football. 

She has been on the FIFA International Referees List since 2009 and was the first female referee in Ligue 1, the first woman to take charge of a UEFA Champions League game as well as becoming the first woman to referee a men’s World Cup match, which she did in Qatar. 

Frappart also oversaw the 2019 Women’s World Cup final between the USWNT and The Netherlands, so she has plenty of tournament experience.

Netherlands: how they got here

The group into which the Oranje were drawn was a potential banana skin, but one they hopped, skipped and jumped over with no issues whatsoever. 

A win against Portugal was followed up by a rematch for the 2019 final against the USWNT, where The Netherlands went toe-to-toe with their opponents and came away with a point after a goalless draw. 

Then came a resounding 7-0 thumping win against Vietnam which set them up for a Round of 16 game against SouthAfrica. 

The quality in the side was too much for the African nation who lost 2-0 in what was ultimately a comfortable game, and The Netherlands come into the quarter-final tie against Spain feeling good and looking fresh.

Spain: how they got here

La Roja have had a largely positive World Cup campaign so far, with wins against Costa Rica and Zambia, despite not being goal-filled, were dominant and assured.

Japan, their other group opponents, had also impressed, but a 0-4 thrashing by the Asian side was the least expected result of all and one which signalled for alarm bells to ring and lights to flash as Spain realised that progression in the World Cup could not happen with even one inch of room given up for the feeling of complacency.

Japan placed explosives where they needed to and tore Spain to shreds, ruthlessly ripping into their defensive unit time and time again as the counter attacks felt endless.

Spain ended up second in the group and faced Switzerland in the next round.

Here, they found their goalscoring touch and swept away the European side 5-1, with a heavily changed team from the one that got bullied by Japan in the group stage.

They come into the game now with a renewed sense of confidence and, perhaps most importantly, the awareness that anything can happen and they must be prepared.

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the ASUSA live coverage of the Women's World Cup quarter-finals.

Spain take on Netherlands in a game that could go either way - and I have to say I am jolly excited for this one.

It's Joe here to guide you through the ups and downs of the fixture.