Spain 2-1 Netherlands (aet)
Spain advance to the Women’s World Cup semifinals for the first time ever after defeating Netherlands, 2-1, after extra time in a match where VAR was prominent. La Roja dominated possession for most of the match and thought they had taken the lead in the 37th minute, but VAR chalked off that strike for offside. Netherlands later had a penalty kick overturned by VAR in the 70th minute determining that Irene Paredes did not foul Lineth Beerensteyn in the area. Minutes later, Spain were awarded a penalty after a handball on Stefanie van der Gragt.
Mariona Caldentey converted the spot kick and Spain looked to be on their way to Eden Park for a semifinal, but the Dutch would equalize in the midst of 12 minutes of stoppage time as Van den Grant beat Cata Coll far post.
In extra time, Salma Paralluelo would score the winner in the 111th minute and the Spaniards celebrated. Despite all the off-the-pitch criticism and controversy, most of it surrounding its coach Jorge Villa, Spain has emerged as a power in women’s soccer and has now been rewarded with a semifinal appearance.
“We have always dreamed of something like this,” said Vilda. “We are among the best teams in the world – but we are not stopping here. Today we want to celebrate, but tomorrow we start getting ready for the semi-finals.”
Japan 1-2 Sweden
At Eden Park, Sweden dominated for a great deal of this match and were rewarded in the 32nd minute when Amanda Ilestedt put Sweden ahead. The lead was doubled in the 51st minute after VAR spotted a handball on Japan’s Fuka Nagano and Filippa Angeldahl converted the spot kick.
Japan pushed back and received a penalty of their own in the 76th minute, but Riko Ueki’s kick would go off the bar and stay out. Another free kick would also hit the woodwork before Honoka Hayashi finally pulled one back for Japan in the 87th minute.
However, an equalizer would not come for Japan and Sweden would reach their third semifinal in four World Cups. Japan impressed during the tournament and vows to be back starting at next year’s Olympics.
“The team grew and the players grew out of this World Cup. We were able to demonstrate that on the world stage, which is a fact. We also lost this match, which is also a fact. But the players, their work at this World Cup, is something that we need to assess positively,” Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda said.
Sweden finished third in 1991, 2011, and 2019 and have been runners-up in 2003. Now, the goal will be to finally get to the top step of the podium after a silver medal in Tokyo on top of those World Cup finishes.
With Japan’s elimination, we are now guaranteed a new World Cup champion.
