Full Time in Dunedin this morning where it has finished 2-2 between Argentina and South Africa in what was a captivating game in which Argentina produced a wonderful comeback from 2-0 down to earn themselves a point in dramatic fashion.

Despite suffering a major set-back in the 20^th minute having lost their captain Refiloe Jane, South African produced a wonderful performance throughout the first half to lead Argentina by a goal to nil at half time.

It was an opening half of few clear-cut chances, but South Africa certainly had the better of the efforts. There were early signs of nerves within both sides from set pieces, as both goalkeepers struggled to be commanding in their respective boxes.

Firstly, in the 16^th minute, Kaylin Swart in the South African net was very uncomfortable when she came to claim a dangerous corner from Argentina’s Estefanía Banini. Luckily, however, Swart’s teammates swarmed around the ball and cleared the danger. Just one minute later, Vanina Correa produced a carbon copy of the error Swart had made just seconds earlier. Again, she was saved by the presence of her defenders.

South African captain Refiloe Jane was carried off the pitch in a stretcher following a mid-air collision with Argentina’s Miriam Mayorga and looked to have landed uncomfortably on her knee. It looks as if it might be a cruciate injury for the skipper, which would be a real blow for Banyana Banyana.

From her departure, South Africa put Argentina under immense pressure and broke the deadlock in the 32^nd minute, thanks to the helping hand of VAR. Jermaine Seoposenwe produced a perfectly timed pass to Thembi Kgatlana down the right wing, who was met with an Argentinian defence who had tried to execute an offside trap.

Mayorga was too late in trying to catch the winger offside, and Kgatlana found herself in acres of space in a two-on-one situation, with teammate Lina Motlhalo running a perfect supporting line. Kgatlana was able to draw in Correa, before passing to Motllhalo on her right for the easiest goal she will ever score.

South Africa were brilliant in the opening half, and had put the ball into the back of the net for a second time in the sixth minute of stoppage time, however this time Motlhalo was offside in the build-up before she then passed to Kgatlana, whose goal wouldn’t count.

After the break, South Africa had a wonderful chance to double their advantage. Seoposenwe put in a great effort to win the ball back in a dangerous position up the pitch before putting the ball on a plate for Kgatlana as she squared it to her teammate inside the six-yard box. Kgatlana’s effort drifted wide of the post, much to the disbelief of her, her teammates and the South African fans in the stadium.

Kgatlana would make amends for her earlier miss by doubling South Africa’s lead in the 65^th minute. Jermaine Seoposenwe carried out her defensive duties high up the pitch, and put Aldane Cometti under serious pressure inside her own half. The winger won the ball back and drove towards the Argentinian by-line, before squaring the ball again to Kgatlana, who would not miss this time.

Argentina reacted  well to the second goal, and responded in emphatic fashion through a wonderful goal from Sophia Braun, who capitalized on a poor clearance from South Africa. Braun found herself on the edge of the box in acres of space, and was able to set herself for the shot. She struck the ball on the half-volley from 25 yards out, and the ball rocketed into the top-right-hand corner, leaving Swart with no hope of saving the shot.

The goal sparked Argentina into life, and they immediately put South Africa under immense pressure for the remainder of the game. The momentum had swung completely, and Argentina were well and truly in the ascendency. Five minutes after Braun’s wonder-strike, Argentina equalized through substitute Romina Nunez. Nunez was found by fellow substitute Yamila Rodriguez, who whipped an excellent cross into the South African box, where it was met by a wonderful glancing header from Nunez that nestled into the bottom left-hand corner.

It was a remarkable period for Argentina, who looked dead and buried with twenty minutes to play. They completed an excellent comeback, and arguably could have gone on to win this game, but South Africa just managed to hold out for the draw.

This has to be one of the games of the tournament so far; South Africa played brilliantly for the opening 65 minutes and looked to be in complete control, but Argentina produced some magic in the final 20 minutes to earn themselves a point in dramatic fashion.

Full Time in Dunedin, Argentina 2-2 South Africa