The Spanish Women's National Team advanced to the World Cup semifinals for the first time after a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Netherlands on Friday morning.

The 2019 finalists, the Netherlands, were eliminated in front of 32,021 supporters at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand.

The match ended 1-1 in regulation time, requiring the tie to go to extra time when Spain's Salma Paralluelo scored the game-winning goal.

The game was particularly contentious, with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) being summoned three times.


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First, Esther Gonzalez's goal was overturned after a VAR review revealed that Gonzalez was marginally offside as a teammate attempted to square the ball to her.

Following an earlier penalty award to the Netherlands by French referee Stephanie Frappart, VAR was called in again in the 63rd minute.

The Dutch appeared to be on their way to taking the lead when the referee pointed to the spot and awarded Spain's Irene Paredes a yellow card for a push on Dutch striker Lineth Beerrensteyn. However, VAR intervened, and the yellow card was revoked, as was the penalty award.

In a post-match interview, Dutch coach Andries Jonker stated that the VAR judgment was incorrect and that his team should have been penalised.


"I saw the replay just now and it should have been a penalty. But it still doesn't mean that Spain didn't win deservedly," Jonker said.

In the 79th minute, VAR was called again for a foul on Spanish match winner Salma Paralluelo, and they converted from the spot through Maria Frances.

On the other hand, the Dutch came back and equalized with 10 minutes remaining through Stefanie Van der Gragt.

On August 15, Spain will face either Japan or Sweden.