In the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup, South Africa unexpectedly advanced to the round of 16 thanks to their historic 3-2 victory over Italy on Wednesday in Wellington. Italy, South Africa, and Argentina joined Sweden in the competition for the remaining round of 16 berths because Sweden had already advanced to the knockout round.
In their earlier encounter against Argentina, South Africa earned their first-ever point at the Women’s World Cup, according to Xinhua. Italy needed to win after losing to Sweden 5-0 in their previous match.
As long as Argentina loses to Sweden in the other Group H match, a draw would advance them to the round of 16, but a win would make the other outcome meaningless. Chiara Beccari was fouled in the box in the 11th minute, and Arianna Caruso calmly converted the penalty kick to give Italy the lead.
The African team then made a number of tries, forcing Benedetta Orsi to clumsily send the ball into her own net in the 32nd minute, leading to a terrible own goal. After the half, South Africa continued to play well, and in the 67th, Hildah Magaia beat custodian Francesca Durante with a feed from Thembi Kgatlana.
A few moments later, the Azzurre responded when Caruso found a corner and flicked it into the goal. However, a second connection between Kgatlana and Magaia in the last minutes allowed South Africa to completely turn the game around. This time, they traded places as Kgatlana scored a close-range goal to secure the victory.