South Africa secured their ticket to the round of 16 in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after an impressive performance against Italy (3-2) in the group stage.
And it’s a second victory for Africa. South Africa will also compete in the round of 16 of the 2023 World Cup taking place in Oceania. The Banyana Banyana earned their spot in the second round of the competition after their victory against Italy on Wednesday. In a match counting for the third round of Group G, the winners of the 2023 CAN triumphed with a score of 3-2.
The match got off to a difficult start for the South Africans, with a penalty converted by Arianna Caruso in favor of Italy in the 11th minute. However, Benedetta Ordi, from the Italian team, scored an own goal in the 32nd minute, bringing the teams back to level.
The South African players did not give up, and Hildah Magaia gave Desiree Ellis’ team the lead again in the 67th minute. But their joy was short-lived as a few minutes later, Ariana Caruso equalized again with a superb header.
This equalizing score left South Africa virtually eliminated, but that was without counting on the timely intervention of Thembi Kgatlana, who became the heroine of her team by scoring in the 90th+2 minute. This historic goal allowed South Africa to reach the round of 16 in the Women’s World Cup for the first time in its history.
Defeated in their first match by Sweden (1-2) and held to a draw by Argentina (2-2), South Africa will now advance to the knockout stages. This is to the great disappointment of the Italian team, which finished third, just one point behind the Banyana Banyana and thus eliminated.
The South Africans will play their round of 16 match on Sunday in Sydney, where they will try to secure a spot in the quarter-finals against the Netherlands, who crushed Vietnam on Tuesday with a resounding score of 7-0.
