Spain edges past the Netherlands to reach first ever Women's World Cup semifinals - CNN

    Spain edges past the Netherlands to reach first ever Women's World Cup semifinals

    Spain's forward #08 Mariona Caldentey celebrates scoring her team's first goal during the Women's World Cup quarterfinal football match against tthe Netherlands at Wellington Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand.

    (CNN)Spain edged past the Netherlands after extra time in a 2-1 win on Friday in Wellington, New Zealand to reach its first Women's World Cup semifinals.

    Mariona Caldentey's penalty after a VAR-reviewed handball decision looked to have won the match for Spain with just nine minutes remaining, but Stefanie van der Gragt -- whose handball had gifted La Roja its penalty -- drilled home a brilliant effort in the first minute of added time.
      In a tense period of extra time, teenage substitute Salma Paralluelo struck the winner after 111 minutes with a left-footed effort off the inside of the far post to make history for Spain.
        Spain will play Sweden in the semifinals after the Swedes beat Japan 2-1 in the day's other quarterfinal match.