Stefanie Van Der Gragt of Netherlands celebrates after scoring her team’s first goal during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Quarter Final match between Spain and Netherlands at Wellington Regional Stadium on August 11, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand.
Stefanie van der Gragt had the Netherlands World Cup hopes in her hands.
Quite literally at first, after she was called for a handball in the box that led to the go-ahead penalty kick in the 81st minute of a quarterfinal match with Spain in the 2023 Women's World Cup.
Minutes later, however, her hands were clean. The 30-year-old defender broke free to score the tying goal that forced extra time after a 1-1 draw in regulation.
With the Netherlands desperate for a goal in the opening minute of stoppage time, Victoria Pelova sent a through ball to van der Gragt, who fired a strike past a diving keeper. It was the second goal of the tournament for van der Gragt, who got the ultimate redemption after nearly costing her country the chance to advance to the semifinals.
The handball came during a cross attempt in the box that struck the hand of van der Gragt. Mariona Caldentey converted the ensuing penalty kick, giving Spain a 1-0 lead to put them within minutes of their first semifinal appearance.
The two teams, who were scoreless in the first half after Spain's Alba Redondo hit the post twice on one possession, now head to extra time. The winner advances to the semifinals to play either Japan or Sweden on Tuesday in Auckland.
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