3 v 2 
ItalyDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 August 2023 | 8:00 am | Women's World Cup | 2022/23 |
Match Report
Thembi Kgatlana’s injury-time goal means South Africa shock Italy with a 3-2 win to progress to the round of sixteen against the Netherlands. Hildah Magaia and an own goal by Benedetta Orsi gave South Africa the three goals they needed to progress to the knockout stage while winning their first-ever world cup game. The game began in scrappy fashion in the chilly night air in Wellington, with neither side able to sustain a meaningful spell of possession in the opening ten minutes. The first talking point of the game was a big one when Chiara Beccari progressed towards the box only to be brought down by Karabo Dhlamini, which resulted in the referee pointing to the spot. The was no VAR check on whether the tackle happened within the box even though it was very close. Arianna Caruso stepped up to take the penalty and assuredly fired the ball past Kaylin Swart to put Italy ahead. After the goal Italy seemed content to sit back knowing that a draw would likely be enough, and the game was almost level when a delivery into the box was cleared only as far as Robyn Moodaly who cut across a shot, striking the upright. The equaliser would come for South Africa in bizarre circumstances when pressure from Thembi Kgatlana put Benedetta Orsi into a panic and caused the Italian centre-half to fire an unsighted pass back to Durante, rolling straight past the keeper into the net. Heavy rain lashed down as the remaining minutes of the first half were played and Italy responded almost immediately when Beccari’s header struck the post minutes after losing their lead. The second half began scrappier than the first half and neither side could get a foothold in the game but Italy were the sloppier of the two sides in possession, conceding possession far too easily and allowing South Africa to get chances to put themselves ahead. South Africa did just this in the sixty-seventh minute when Kgatlana slid a lovely reverse pass into the path of Hildah Magaia whose composed finish changed the outcome of Group G and would send the Rainbow nation through to the round of sixteen. Italy were level when Cristiana Girelli’s header came off the hip of Caruso and after a lengthy VAR check, the sides were level. But it would be South Africa that would claim the final goal of the game in injury time when Magaia found Kgatlana in the box, calmly passing the ball past the defender and keeper to secure passage to the knockout stage.South Africa Shock Italy to Progress to Knockout Stage
Timeline
| 11' | 21. Arianna Caruso | |
| 3. Benedetta Orsi | 31' | |
| Robyn Moodaly Mapula Nomvula Kgoale | 46' | |
| 65' | Barbara Bonansea Cristiana Girelli | |
| 65' | Lucia Di Guglielmo Elisa Bartoli | |
| 8. Hildah Magaia | 67' | |
| 74' | 21. Arianna Caruso | |
| 82' | Arianna Caruso Sofia Cantore | |
| 82' | Chiara Beccari Giada Greggi | |
| 11. Thembi Kgatlana | 90+2' | |
| Lebohang Ramalepe Tiisetso Makhubela | 90+5' | |
| Karabo Dhlamini Sibulele Holweni | 90+15' | |
| Hildah Magaia Wendy Shongwe | 90+5' | |
| 90+10' | Benedetta Orsi Benedetta Glionna |
Ground
| Wellington Regional Stadium |
|---|
| Sky Stadium, Waterloo Quay, Pipitea, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand |
Conor Cantwell
Conor Cantwell is a freelance sports journalist based in Co. Meath. Conor has been covering club football in Ireland and England since 2022. Conor has a keen interest in soccer, Gaelic games, rugby, tennis and basketball and has been writing blogs about the Premier League and the NBA since 2022.
KGATLANA MIGHT HAVE STOLEN IT. Magaia squares the ball for Kgatlana who passes the ball past a defender and keeper. Three minutes of the ELEVEN played.
Cantore and Greggi come on for Caruso and Beccari
2-2! Girelli heads the ball on from a corner which hits Caruso on her hip to divert the ball into the bottom corner. It has all changed again because it is Le Azzurre who will progress as it stands.
Long delay here to check an Italian goal. Girelli headed the ball on which hit Caruso. Possibility of Caruso being offside.
Kgatlana is causing all sorts of problems for the the Italian back line and Italy look all over the place right now.
2-1 TO SOUTH AFRICA! Kgatlana plays a lovely reverse pass to Magaia who calm finishes past Durante and it is now South Africa that will be going through as it stands.
Girelli and Bartoli come on for Bonansea and Di Guglielmo
Giugliano whips a corner in that causes panic in the box but is eventually cleared by Seoposenwe
Italy are trying to shoot themselves in the foot. Dragoni passes the ball sloppily to concede possession again and allows Seoposenwe in on goal but the wide player cannot hit the target.
Linari does just enough to clear the ball out for a corner after a couple of failed clearances by her teammates. South Africa are quick to give the ball back to Italy.
Kgatlana times a run in behind the Italy defence brilliantly but cannot get her shot on target as she drags the ball wide of the post.
Beccari is looking dangerous yet again and her pass through to Giacinti is saved well by Swart. Dragoni follows up the effort with a long range shot that was blocked by the head of Matlou.
Boattin shanks her shot well wide from the free kick.
Hand ball early on against Mbane so a free kick for Italy just outside the box.
Moodaly makes way at half time for Kgoale
And we are back underway!
HALF TIME: A game that started so well for Le Azzurre has finished with them frustrated in front of goal. Beccari won a penalty in the opening eleven minutes which was converted by Caruso to make it 1-0. Italy looked comfortable until Orsi overhit a back pass to Durante which went straight in levelling the game. As it stands Italy will still go through. Second half action to come.
A looping header by Caruso sails harmlessly into the hands of Swart.
Seven minutes of added time will be added at the end of the first half
Big opportunity to score as Dragoni sends Beccari through on goal. She tries to find Bonansea rushing into the box but he ball in lacks quality and runs out of play.
The wind is causing havoc with the corners, with the ball being blow off the corner spot. Italy elect to take it short but nothing comes from it.
VAR checking for an Italy penalty after an incident in the box that led to Italy striking the post through a Beccari header. Nothing given as a result of the check and the game continues.
1-1 OUT OF NOWHERE! Italy looked calm in possession but a powerful back pass from Orsi is too strong for Durante and goes into the net.
Dragoni again getting the ball in a dangerous area and spins her marker effortlessly. The 16 year old looks like a real player.
Mbane has the ball in the corner and is having her shorts pulled but the Italian defender. No foul is given and Mbane rifles the ball out of play in frustration. Not a great sign for South Africa.
OFF THE POST! Moodaly fires a rebounded effort off the upright and away from the Italy goal. So close to an equaliser.
Italy are keeping the ball very confidently. Dragoni and Beccari are causing a lot of issues in forward areas with their pace and dribbling ability.
Caruso tucks the penalty away to make it 1-0 to Italy.
PENALTY FOR ITALY! Dhalmini tackles recklessly on Beccari just inside the box to give Italy a chance to go ahead.
So far this situation suits Italy. The game has been mainly been played in midfield and neither goal has been threatened so far.
And we are underway with a kick off from Italy