History-making Spain continue to break barriers at World Cup after turbulent year

It was the second half of extra time and the legs of the Spain players felt heavy.

But while others wilted, substitute Salma Paralluelo stepped up. Despite her youth, the 19-year-old has been regularly counted on by Jorge Vilda. Spain’s coach has bet heavily on her since last year.

Paralluelo has been a regular starter at this World Cup, but the decision to keep her fresh for the later stages of the game proved key against the Netherlands. In the 111th minute, after receiving the ball in the middle of the field, she ran like a gazelle and no one could stop her. Alone against the world, she was on the verge of making history. Her strike hit the post and then found the back of the net to give Spain a 2-1 lead and, ultimately, the victory.

Netherlands did not have the capacity to come back and Spain knew it. The players on the bench ran down the sideline to celebrate Paralluelo’s decisive goal. Despite coming on in the 70th minute, she was the game’s MVP.

Salma Paralluelo may have sent her country to their first-ever #FIFAWWC semi-final 🤩

The 19-year-old substitute comes up big for #ESP! pic.twitter.com/jkIUOornj1

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) August 11, 2023

WHAT A WAY TO SCORE YOUR FIRST FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP GOAL, SALMA PARALLUELO 🇪🇸