South African players rejoice in celebration as their team advances to the knockout stage in the Women’s World Cup at Wellington Regional Stadium. Today, Thembi Kgatlana scored a dramatic last-minute winner, securing South Africa’s first-ever Women’s World Cup victory with a 3-2 triumph over Italy. This victory propelled them into the last 16 of the tournament, at the expense of their opponents.
In an intense match, striker Kgatlana sealed the win two minutes into stoppage time, booking her team a clash with the Netherlands in Sydney on Sunday. This heartbreaking loss for Italy dashed their hopes, as they only needed a draw to progress. Despite Arianna Caruso scoring from a corner in the 74th minute to salvage a draw, Italy’s missed late chances came back to haunt them.
Italy initially took the lead when Karabo Dhlamini tripped Italian forward Chiara Beccari inside the box, resulting in a penalty. Caruso confidently converted the penalty, slotting the ball into the bottom left corner of the net. South Africa equalized in the 32nd minute through an own goal from Benedetta Orsi, who failed to check the position of goalkeeper Francesca Durante before making a back pass.
Banyana Banyana surged ahead for the first time in the 67th minute when Kgatlana’s precise pass found Hildah Magaia unmarked behind the defensive line, and she calmly finished it. Caruso equalized with a fortuitous goal in the 74th minute, as the ball ricocheted off her hip during a goalmouth scramble and ended up in the bottom right corner of the net.
In a frantic finale, it seemed as though Italy would hold on for the draw. However, Magaia’s assist found Kgatlana in the box, and the striker unleashed a powerful shot into the net, securing second place in the group behind Sweden. Emotionally, Coach Desiree Ellis, a founding member of the South Africa women’s side in 1993, praised her team’s valiant effort. She described them as warriors and heroines, acknowledging their historic achievement of securing their first win and reaching the round of 16.
In other news, an altered Sweden lineup maintained a perfect record as Rebecka Blomqvist’s header in the second half and substitute Elin Rubensson’s penalty in the 90th minute guided them to a 2-0 victory over Argentina, ensuring their place in the last 16 of the tournament.
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