Women’s World Cup: South Africa through after late winner against Italy

South Africa have qualified for the Women’s World Cup second round for the first time after a superb 3-2 win over Italy.

Thembi Kgatlana’s stoppage-time strike sent South Africa through at their opponent’s expense as the country earned their first-ever win at the tournament.

The result sees South Africa progress as Group G runners-up by a single point, with Sweden topping the group with a 100% record.

Arianna Caruso had given Italy the lead from the penalty spot after a foul on the edge of the penalty area.

South Africa were gifted an equaliser though when Benedetta Orsi misjudged a backpass and the ball rolled into the net.

The Banyana Banyana had the lead when Kgatlana put Hildah Magaia through on goal to finish coolly into the bottom right corner.

Italy hit back though, and retook second place in the group, when Caruso added her second with a header from a corner.

It took until the 92nd-minute though to finally settle the result when Magaia squared the ball to Kgatlana to finish from eight yards and make history for her country.

“They fought like warriors,” South Africa manager Desiree Ellis said.

“They fought like the heroines that we know that they are. They fought to be historically remembered and they’ve made history not just getting our first win, but going to the round of 16 and that is freaking amazing.

“This victory is for everyone back home, people that got up in the early hours of the morning to support us – that is for them.”

Cover Photo: South African flag, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa” by flowcomm is licensed under CC BY 2.0 .