On Wednesday, South Africa made history by becoming the first team from their continent to win a match in the Women’s World Cup. They advanced to the round of 16 with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Italy.
The goal, which was scored by South Africa’s captain Thembi Kgatlana in the 92nd minute, was the game-winning one, and it sent Italy back home while setting up a match between South Africa and the Netherlands.
Arianna Caruso scored twice for Italy and believed she had rescued the draw they needed to go through with 16 minutes remaining until Kgatlana’s astonishing late intervention. However, Kgatlana’s late intervention allowed Italy to advance.
The Italians were reduced to tears by the game’s conclusion as they watched their rivals celebrate a stunning victory.
“Within the last two weeks, I’ve had to say goodbye to three members of my family. I could have gone home, but I opted to remain with my ladies instead,” said Kgatlana, who plays for Racing Louisville in the United States. Kgatlana is now based in the United States.
“Because that’s the extent of how much it means.”
“This is just amazing,” said coach Desiree Ellis, whose team’s first game was a 2-1 loss to Sweden that came down to the last minute, and then their second game was a 2-2 draw with Argentina. They impressed me so much that I can’t even.
I told you that we were going to compete for each and every ball. We vowed that we would not give up, and they were incredible throughout the whole process.
“This victory is for everyone back home, people who got up in the early hours of the morning to support us — that is for them.”
Group G was won by Sweden, who finished with nine points, followed by South Africa (four points) and Italy (three points). Argentina came in last place overall on one.
‘Warriors’
It took a penalty kick converted by Caruso in the 11th minute for Italy to take the lead, but 32 minutes later they gave up an equalizer that was scored under ridiculous circumstances.
Benedetta Orsi, a defender for Italy, took possession of the ball and promptly passed it to her goalie without first glancing up to check where Francesca Durante was located.
However, Durante was not in the area where the backpass was directed, and as a result, Italy scored an embarrassing own goal.
Just a few seconds later, Italy was involved in a goalmouth scramble when they struck the post, but there was not much of a difference between the two teams going into the half in a damp Wellington.
The reigning African champions went into the second half aware that they needed to find the back of the net, so they went on the offensive.
After 67 minutes, South Africa did what was expected of them and seized the lead when Kgatlana, the team’s captain, passed in Hildah Magdaia and she stroked the ball into the goal.
However, Durante produced a spectacular save, and a few minutes later came what seemed to be the decisive moment of the game. South Africa very nearly grabbed a third, but Durante saved it.
Caruso scored for Italy for the second time, and after a gruelingly lengthy review by the video assistant referee (VAR), the goal was awarded for 2-2.
In the second minute of injury time at the conclusion of the match, the Italian defense committed another error, which allowed Kgatlana to score the goal that sent South Africa through to the next round.
They engaged in battle like true warriors. “They fought like the heroes that we know they are,” added Ellis. “They were incredible.”
They have not only given us our first victory, but also a spot in the round of sixteen. They have created history. “And that is absolutely mind blowing!”