🌏 What went down Down Under? WWC Day 2️⃣3️⃣ | OneFootball

With the World Cup taking place in Australia and New Zealand, plenty of fans around the world will be in bed when some of the games take place. Not to worry, we have you covered.

Quick, what were the results?

It took extra-time but Spain eventually found their way past the 2019 finalists in a tense and high quality encounter.

In another thrilling encounter, Sweden withstood a late fightback from the Japanese to book a semi-final against Spain.

So, do you have a Moment or Match of the Day?

Being a clash between the beaten finalists in 2019 and the current favourites to win it all this time around, it could only be Spain’s win over the Netherlands.

The 120 minutes showed the high quality of the women’s game, as the two sides went toe to toe, with the Spanish eventually having the lion’s share of the possession and chances.

After a disallowed Esther Gonzalez in the first half, they finally found the breakthrough via a Maria Caldentey penalty in the 81st minute.

The Dutch showed their pedigree and resilience, fighting back and fashioning an equalizer through veteran defender Stefanie Van de Gragt a minute into added time.

Suddenly, they were on top but Spain rebounded like the champions-elect they might be, sealing their passage to the last four with a stunning goal from substitute Salma Paralluelo.

It means a first semi-final for the Spanish and it would be a brave person to bet against them going all the way.

And a Player of the Day for me?

Given the dramatic nature of Spain’s win, it could only be their matchwinner.

At just 19, Salma Paralluelo became the country’s youngest scorer at a Women’s World Cup, and it just so happened to be their biggest goal ever.

Speaking after, she said “It means everything for me, it was a unique moment, great euphoria… I’m extremely happy,”

A former sprinter and now Barcelona winger, she now claims to be the newest star of Spanish women’s football. Not a bad day’s work!

Come on, show us a picture perfect moment:

The joy. The despair. The contrast.

It shows how much it means to everyone involved and also the nature of knockout football.

Anything else I should know?

With one semi-final now decided, the other will be confirmed tomorrow.

France and England will be expected to progress past hosts Australia and Colombia respectively but this has been an unpredictable World Cup. Anything could happen.