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.

With Sweden looking likely to top Group G of the Women’s World Cup, a draw between Italy and South Africa in the final game of the group may be enough to send Italy through to the round of sixteen.

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Sweden booked their place in the Round of 16 after beating Italy 5-0 this morning in Wellington. The group favourites started this game slowly and uncharacteristically, failing to register a shot on target until the 25^th minute, but a late flurry in the first half saw the 2019 Semi-Finalists score three goals in seven minutes. 

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Sweden will face off against Italy tomorrow morning at 8:30am as both sides look to build on their performances from last week’s fixtures. Both sides come into this game having won their opening games.

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Full Time in Eden Park where Italy have beaten Argentina in their opening game of this year’s World Cup in Group G. An 87^th minute winner from super sub Cristiana Girelli saw Italy win in dramatic fashion.

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