It was heartbreak for Victoria Pelova and the Netherlands after Spain bagged an extra-time winner in the World Cup quarter-finals.
The Dutch had cruised to the last eight after dismissing South Africa 2-0 last weekend but faced a Spanish side with significant talent in their ranks.
Characteristically dominant in possession throughout, Spain had several opportunities to take the lead including an Esther Gonzalez goal in the 37th minute that was ruled out for offside.
Their eventual breakthrough came from the spot after Stefanie van der Gragt handled the ball in the penalty area and Mariona Caldentey converted with some assistance from the post.
Just when it looked like the Dutch were out in stoppage time, Pelova played a beautiful through ball for van der Gragt to run onto and the defender equalised with aplomb, cancelling out her earlier defensive error.
As the game entered extra time, Juventus' Lineth Beerensteyn had a golden opportunity to complete the comeback but missed from close range.
Ultimately, it was teenage forward Salma Paralluelo who scored the winner for Spain in the second spell of extra time, breaking Dutch hearts with a skilful run and strike at the far post.
Copyright 2024 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.
