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Sweden vs South Africa FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Highlights | Amanda Ilestedt scored a late winner to earn the valuable three points for Sweden

Amanda Ilestedt scored a brilliant header in the 90th minute to win three points in the first game of Group G in the Women's World Cup 2023

Abishek GoswamiJuly 23, 2023 at 07:39 AM • 6 min read
Amanda Ilestedt scored a brilliant header in the 90th minute to win three points in the first game of Group G in the Women's World Cup 2023

Wellington Regional Stadium hosted Sweden vs South Africa Women's match in the Women's World Cup 2023 on Saturday. Sweden's Women's team is sitting at the third position in the current FIFA rankings. They were the favourites before coming into the match and the fans were expecting them to dominate the South African side. Well, it didn't happen to an extent. Sweden got the three points but they couldn't dominate the opposition for the entire 90 minutes. South Africa got the lead just three minutes into the second half but Sweden came up with a late winner.

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FIFA Women's World Cup: Sweden vs South Africa | Match Report

First Half:

Sweden started the game in a very calm and composed way. They kept the ball for most part of the game and at times, they looked very dangerous. South Africa's mid and back lines were very organized in the first half. It looked like a very very tough job to breach the back line and score a goal. Sweden were keeping the possession while the South African side was enjoying being organized and well-settled. They were mostly interested in counterattacks but the Swedish defence is also so mature and composed under pacy attackers. They didn't lose the balls quite easily. The attackers from both sides looked quite frustrated as they were not getting so many deliveries. The first half ended with a 0-0 scoreline.

Second Half:

The Second half saw completely two different teams coming into the pitch. South Africa got the lead after just three minutes into the second half. Hildah Magaria scored for them and Sweden were still in the dressing room it seemed. They were caught napping and disjointed at the back. It was nothing like the first half and they paid the price. For a couple of minutes, it was only South Africa in the game.

The Swedish side took their time to regain the momentum and they got the equalizer. A dangerous cross from Kaneryd over the head of Blackstenius found Ramalepe's body and she was unfortunate as the ball deflected in. It was given as an own goal but Sweden didn't care as a goal is a goal, doesn't matter how it comes.

Sweden made a couple of changes and the substitutes showed urgency for the team. In the dying minutes of the game, Amanda Ilestedt came up with an absolutely beautiful header to win the game for her side. They came from falling behind to win it in quite some fashion. Sweden earned three points after the first game of Group G in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.

FIFA Women's World Cup: Sweden vs South Africa | Lineups

Sweden:

South Africa:

They are ready. Are you? | 10:15 A.M.

Sweden vs South Africa: Live Blog | Time for the National Anthems | 10:24 A.M.

The players are out of the tunnel and line up for their national anthems.

Kick-Off | 10:30 A.M.

1': The opening match in Group G is underway

4': Sweden are looking very composed on the ball, knocking it around precisely.

10': It's all Sweden at the moment. They are enjoying possession

15': First corner of the game

21': South Africa are getting pushed further and further back. They are finding it increasingly difficult to clear their lines.

24': Sweden are in total control of this match.

31': Sweden players are shouting as they are sure this is a handball but the VAR and referee denied it.

35': South Africa are very organized. It's looking like they will only concede a goal from their own mistake or set pieces.

38': Sweden wins a corner.

45': Four minutes of added time at the end of the half.

45+2': Rubensson half-volleys an effort narrowly wide of the angle of the post 

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Sweden (0) vs South Africa (0) | Half-time

Sweden haven't found a goal in the first half. South Africa were looking dangerous in counterattacks but none of the teams is playing their best football at the moment. It ended 0-0 in the first 45 minutes at the Wellington Regional Stadium.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Sweden vs South Africa | Second Half Kick-Off | 11:35 A.M.

The second half starts and Sweden would like to take the lead first.

Sweden vs South Africa Live Blog | Goallllll!!! for South Africa | 48'

Three minutes into the second half and Hildah Magaria scores for South Africa. Sweden are still in the dressing room it seems.

50': South Africa are looking dangerous

55': The South African players are not giving a single moment of peace to the Sweden side

60': The Swedish side are slowly coming back to the game.

64': Free-kick for Sweden.

Sweden vs South Africa Live Blog | Goallllll!!! for Sweden | 65'

Kaneryd's cross is dangerous over the head of Blackstenius. Ramalepe is unfortunate as the ball deflected in and it's an own goal. Sweden gets the equalizer somehow.

Women's World Cup: Sweden gets the much-needed equalizer | Sportz Point
Sweden gets the much-needed equalizer
Image - Twitter

69': Triple substitution for Sweden.

70': Annnnnnnddddd, it's raining.

75': south Africa's Biyana received the first card of the match

80': The Swedish team is keeping the ball. They have enjoyed 69% of all-over possession until now.

86': Kaneryd has been the most dangerous player for Sweden.

Sweden vs South Africa Live Blog | Goallllll!!! for Sweden | 90'

Sweden steals it at the death. Amanda Ilestedt jumps and gets enough of the ball to squeeze the ball home. What a turnaround.

Women's World Cup: Amanda scores the winner | Sportz Point
Amanda scores the winner
Image - Twitter

90+1': Six minutes of injury time.

90+4': The Swedish side is wasting time. Why Wouldn't they?

90+6': Corner after Corner.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Sweden (2) vs South Africa (1) | Full time

Sweden made a comeback and earned the valuable three points from their first game of the campaign. South Africa would be disappointed as they took the lead but couldn't hold onto it.

Tags:

FootballFifaWomens FootballWomen In SportsFifa Womens World Cup 2023

Abishek Goswami

Abishek Goswami is an aspiring technology professional currently pursuing a B.Tech in Information Technology from Haldia Institute of Technology. Alongside his passion for technology, he has a deep love for sports, which he explored further during his tenure as a writer and editor for Sportz Point. His experience in sports journalism not only enriched his knowledge of various sports but also instilled valuable life lessons and the importance of working in a structured environment. With a dynamic interest in both technology and sports, Abishek brings a well-rounded approach to learning, storytelling, and professional growth.

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