South Africa defeated Italy 3-2 to record their first 2023 Women’s World Cup win and joined the Super Falcons of Nigeria in the next round of the tournament.
The Super Falcons qualified for the tournament on Monday, August 31 after drawing 0-0 with the Republic of Ireland and finishing second behind the co-hosts of the tournament, Australia.
The Super Falcons will now face England in the Quarter-finals on Monday, August 7, at 8:30 a.m.
As for South Africa, the reigning African women’s champions, recorded a defeat, a draw, and then a win over Italy on Wednesday, August 2, to finish second in Group H, 5 points behind first-placed Sweden, and a point behind third-placed Italy.
In the game between Italy and South Africa earlier today, the Italian side got off to a perfect start when they were awarded a penalty as Karabo Dhlamini caught the heels of teenager Chiara Beccari and Arianna Caruso calmly converted to put her side in command of their World Cup future as they needed a win to scale through.
However, South Africa were gifted a leveler as Benedetta Orsi, playing her first World Cup match, was left red-faced when she hit a no-look-back pass to a surprised Francesca Durante and it rolled into her net.
The South African ladies burst into the lead when Kgatlana slipped a clever ball through the Italy defense to put Hildah Magaia through on goal and she lifted it over Durante.
VAR seemed like it may have come to South Africa’s rescue when Caruso equalized from a corner, but after a lengthy delay, the goal was given.
Thembi Kgatlana scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time after Caruso’s header had led to Italy’s comeback.
The South African players celebrated when the game’s final whistle blew, indicating that they had made history for their nation.
“Over the last two weeks, I’ve lost three family members. I could have gone home but I chose to stay with my girls,” Kgatlana said after the game.
“Because that’s how much it means.”
South Africa will take on the Group E table-toppers Netherlands in the quarter-final round on Sunday, August 6, at 03:00.
