Salma Paralluelo scored deep in extra time to give Spain a 2-1 win over the Netherlands on Friday and send the sixth-ranked nation into the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup for the first time.
The teenager struck in the 111th minute of a tight knockout match between European football heavyweights whose men's teams already have storied World Cup histories.
The Netherlands lost the final to the US in France four years ago and now both teams have exited the tournament.
The 19-year-old Paralluelo made her break down the left, pivoted momentarily and from a difficult angle launched a left-foot shot into the back of the net for the winner.
“It's important for everyone,” Paralluelo, who came in as a substitute, said.
Swedes advance
Sweden held off a late Japan fightback to reach the semi-finals for the fifth time with a 2-1 win at Eden Park, leaving the tournament without any former winners in the last-four.
Five days after ousting four-time champions the United States in the last-16, the Swedes dominated the 2011 title winners for most of the evening to set up a semi-final against Spain at the same stadium on Tuesday.
