South Africa scored an added-time winner to shock Italy 3-2 at Wellington Regional Stadium to book their last-16 spot at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. They will now face the dutches in the knockout stage after a thrilling win over Italy, who would have advanced with a point. Italy took the lead after 11 minutes when Arianna Caruso slotted home low from the penalty spot. Orsi then gifted the equalizer to South Africa. Magaia gave South Africa the lead in the 57th minute but Italy then found the equalizer with the help of Caruso. Kgatlana scored a late winner to help the Banyana reach the last 16 behind Sweden.
South Africa are through to the knockout stages for the first time in their #FIFAWWC history! 🇿🇦
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 2, 2023
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FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: South Africa vs Italy Live Blog
Lineups
South Africa (3-4-3): Swart; Gamede, Matlou, Mbane; Ramalepe, Dhlamini, Molthalo, Moodaly; Seoposenwe, Kgatlana, Magaia.
Subs: Dlamini, Moletsane, Magama, Cesane, Salgado, Makhubela, Jane, Kgadiete, Holweni, Kgoale, Shongwe.
Italy (4-2-3-1): Durante; Di Guglielmo, Orsi, Linari, Boattin; Giugliano, Dragoni; Bonansea, Caruso, Beccari; Giacinti.
Subs: Giuliani, Baldoi, Severini, Cantore, Girelli, Glionna, Bartoli, Serturini, Lenzini, Greggi, Cernoia, Salvai.
Time for the National Anthems | 12:25 P.M. (IST)
The players are out of the tunnel. It is time for the anthems.
FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: South Africa vs Italy | 12:30 P.M (IST) | Kick Off
Here we go.
South Africa vs Italy | 5'
Italy are controlling right from the start.
South Africa vs Italy | 9'
Italy need to target the space in behind but lacks a bit of pace up front. Giacinti is a good player but not especially quick.
Penalty to Italy | 10'
Soft foul but the penalty was given to Italy.
South Africa vs Italy | Goallll!!!!.. for Italy | 11'
Caruso stares out the bottom right and then sweeps the bottom left.
Italy are managing well at the moment | 16'
South Africa are struggling to get on the ball.
Italy are slowing down | 22'
South Africa are getting players forward now.
South Africa are finally waking | 26'
Kgatlana is growing into this, bursting forward and finding Seposwene down the right.
South Africa are finally waking | 31'
South Africa just have to be clinical. A goal is coming.
South Africa vs Italy | Equalizer from South Africa | 32'
Linari tidies up a South African attack, squares to Orsi, and she, without looking, swipes a backpass without having checked whether Durante was there. Unfortunately, She was not there. She slid in but was unable to stop the ball from hitting the net. A huge error cost Italy's lead and with the constant pressure that South Africa were building, the outcome finally came.
Corner for Italy | 38'
After conceding, Italy are going for the lead again.
It's 0-0 in the other game | 42'
Argentina & Sweden haven't produced a goal yet.
Added time | 45'
Seven additional minutes.
South Africa vs Italy | 45+5'
Italy win a free-kick 30 yards out, right-hand side and Caruso gets up first, but can't direct the ball toward the goal.
FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: South Africa (1) vs Italy (1) | Half time
#RSA 1-1 #ITA
A huge 45 minutes of #FIFAWWC action ahead at Wellington Regional Stadium!— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 2, 2023
South Africa vs Italy | Second half Kick off | 46'
The players are back on the field. If the scores stay as they are, Italy are going through.
Free Kick for Italy | 50'
Kgatlana bringing SA forward. Dargoni fouls her and South Africa win the free kick.
South Africa vs Italy | 53'
Kgatlana is looking dangerous.
South Africa are moving quite nicely in the second half | 56'
Kgatlana sliding Magaia in behind and down the left; from the line, she cuts back and Linari cuts out.
Substitution for Italy | 65'
Double change for Italy, Bartoli, and Girelli replacing Di Guglielmo and Bonansea.
South Africa vs Italy | 2nd Goalllll!!!!.... for South Africa | 67'
Magaia scores for South Africa.
South Africa vs Italy | 2nd Goalllll!!!!.... for Italy | 74'
Caruso scores again for Italy and it's the equalizer. It took the Italians only seven minutes to break the opposition.
Italy are keeping possession | 78'
Corner for South Africa.
Substitution for Italy | 84'
Greggi and Cantore are in for Caruso and Beccari.
Added time | 90'
It's 11 minutes, and SA have time to build pressure on Italy.
Sweden vs Argentina: 2-0 | 90+2'
Sweden now lead Argentina 2-0. They win Group G with three wins from three.
South Africa vs Italy | 3rd Goalllll!!!!.... for Italy | 90+2'
A ball down the right and Seposwene collects, calmly picking a square pass that Magaia, who's been superb second half, bursts onto, beating her defender on the outside. She might shoot, but instead squares, and there's Kgatlana to sweep home from a few yards. What a terrific match this has been.
FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: South Africa (3) vs Italy (2) | Full time
South Africa go through to meet the Netherlands in the Round of 16. Italy & Argentina are out of the competition.
Incredible. pic.twitter.com/tpRZeEPLX0
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 2, 2023