Salma Paralluelo: Spain's teenage X-Factor who could ruin England's World Cup dreams

Spain must've thought history was about to repeat itself. Last year, they were so close to beating England in the quarter-finals of the European Championship, but they conceded a late equaliser and then succumbed to defeat in extra-time. Earlier this month, it looked like that was going to happen again.

Spain dominated and led against the Netherlands in their Women's World Cup quarter-final, but a stoppage-time equaliser from Stefanie van der Gragt took the game to extra-time. Just as the Dutch were creating some huge chances to win it, though, Spain's teenage sensation Salma Paralluelo had her say.

Released down the left by Jenni Hermoso with only nine minutes remaining, the substitute raced into the space in front of her, easily shimmied past Dutch defender Aniek Nouwen and drilled a left-footed shot beyond Daphne van Domselaar that smacked the post and bounced into the back of the net.

She'd made history. Not only was she the youngest player ever to score for Spain at a Women's World Cup, a record that sits nicely alongside her being the youngest player ever to represent the nation at the tournament, but she'd fired in the goal that would send La Roja to the last four of the competition for the very first time.

Despite flying to New Zealand off the back of a wonderful season for Barcelona, Paralluelo struggled to shine in the group stages of this World Cup, dropping out of Spain's starting XI and onto the bench as a result. But as a substitute, the 19-year-old is thriving. After scoring that match-winning goal against the Netherlands, she also netted a late strike against Sweden in the semi-finals. It wouldn't decide the game, even if it looked like it would when it went in, but it still helped Spain book their spot in a first ever Women's World Cup final.

Now, as La Roja look to get revenge on England on Sunday after last year's defeat at the Euros, Paralluelo appears to have become an impactful bench player just like those that proved so crucial in the Lionesses' continental triumph. Could she be the difference-maker that allows her own nation to taste major tournament success for the first time?

Let GOAL introduce you to one of Spain's deadliest weapons going into the weekend's huge game...