South Africa scored an added-time winner to stun Italy 3-2 at Wellington Regional Stadium to book their last-16 spot at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Wednesday.
The Banyana Banyana will now face the Netherlands in the
knockout stage following a thrilling win over Italy, who would have advanced
with a point.
Italy took the lead after 11 minutes when Arianna Caruso
scored from a penalty spot after Chiara Beccari had been fouled by Karabo
Dhlamini. Robyn Moodaly’s swerving shot struck the post 20 minutes before South
Africa were levelled in the 32nd minute.
This was when Benedetta Orsi’s misplaced backpass skidded
past her own goalkeeper Francesca Durante. Beccari almost restored Italy’s lead
in the first half when her header came back off the post but they fell behind
midway through the second half. This was when Thembi Kgatlana slipped a clever
pass through to Hildah Magaia to finish beyond Durante.
Kgatlana was then denied by a flying save from Durante which
proved crucial minutes later when Italy equalised. This was after Caruso
flicked out a leg to deflect substitute Cristiana Girelli’s header beyond
Kaylin Swart.
Girelli was denied from close range by a superb save from
Swart before South Africa regained the lead decisively in the second minute of
added time.
This was when Kgatlana finished at the near post from
Magaia’s pass to send her team into the next round.
Player-of-the-match Magaia has now scored two goals at the
2023 finals and is the first player to score more than one goal in a single
edition of the Women’s World Cup for South Africa.
Milena Bertolini, Italy’s coach expressed disappointment
after the match, saying that it was unfortunate all their hard work failed to
pay off in the end.
“We’re very sorry because we worked hard to get through, but
we didn’t succeed. I don’t think this group lacked understanding, the girls are
very good together.
“Maybe there was a little fear, the five goals against
Sweden took away our certainties and it showed in the first goal we scored
ourselves.
“Today, the main opponent was not South Africa but ourselves.
“I’m very convinced of the choices I’ve made, I think these
are the best players and I think there will be a good future for this national
team,” he said.
Bertolini noted that the World Cup also served to raise
young girls that Italian women’s football will meet in the future.
“My future doesn’t matter so much, only the future of the
movement matters.
“I hope I have left a legacy with this young team, who have
had an important experience and that the movement will find itself again in the
future,” he said. NAN