Jaw-Dropping Victory: South Africa Secure Spot in Last 16 with Thrilling Win against Italy at FIFA Women's World Cup
South Africa's historic 3-2 win over Italy at the Women's World Cup is sealed by Thembi Kgatlana's dramatic late goal, propelling them into the last 16 and eliminating Italy A triumph that marks a significant milestone for South African women's football
In a thrilling encounter, South Africa secured their first-ever Women's World Cup win by a 3-2 victory over Italy. It was Thembi Kgatlana who emerged as the hero, scoring a dramatic last-minute goal in stoppage time. With this win, South Africa advanced to the last 16 of the tournament, leaving their opponents heartbroken as they had only required a draw to progress. As a result, South Africa will now face the Netherlands in an upcoming match in Sydney on Sunday.
Italy seemed to have secured the draw they needed when Arianna Caruso found the back of the net from a corner in the 74th minute. However, their hopes were dashed as they missed several opportunities in the final moments of the game. The scoring was initiated by Italy when Karabo Dhlamini fouled Italy's forward Chiara Beccari inside the penalty box in the 10th minute. Caruso confidently converted the penalty with a precise shot into the bottom left corner.
South Africa equalised in the 32nd minute through an own goal from Benedetta Orsi, who did not check where goalkeeper Francesca Durante was before making a back pass.
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South Africa's Thembi Kgatlana scored a late winner to beat Italy
In the 67th minute, Banyana Banyana took the lead as Kgatlana's precise pass found Hildah Magaia unmarked behind the defense, and she skillfully placed the ball into the net. Just seven minutes later, Caruso equalized from a corner as the ball unintentionally struck her hip during a chaotic goalmouth scramble and deflected into the bottom right corner of the net.
Italy seemed poised to hold on for a draw in a frenzied finale. However, Magaia's well-executed pass discovered Kgatlana waiting in the box, who then thundered the ball into the net, clinching second place in the group, just behind Sweden.
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Italy needed just a draw to qualify, but instead exit at the group stages
What's next?
The Netherlands will face South Africa in the last 16 on Sunday August 6 in Sydney; kick-off 3am.What is the schedule?
The group stage, which runs over a two-week period and finishes on August 3, determines the progression of group winners and runners-up to the round of 16. This round of matches will take place from August 5 to August 8.The quarter-finals are set to take place on August 11 and 12 in Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane, and Sydney.
Following the quarter-finals, the first semi-final will be held in Auckland on August 15, while the second semi-final will be held at the Accor Stadium in Sydney on August 16. The final match will also be held at the Accor Stadium on August 20.
A third-place play-off will be played the day before the final on August 19 in Brisbane.
