South Africa creates history with a stoppage-time winner against Italy

 

Thembi Kgatlana scored a dramatic last-gasp winner, securing South Africa's first-ever Women's World Cup victory with a 3-2 triumph over Italy. The thrilling victory propelled South Africa into the last 16 of the tournament, eliminating Italy in the process.

Kgatlana, the striker, found the back of the net in the 92nd minute of stoppage time, sealing a thrilling victory and setting up a clash with the Netherlands in Sydney on Sunday. The Italians, who only needed a draw to progress, were left heartbroken after a late surge of missed opportunities. Despite Arianna Caruso's equalizer from a corner in the 74th minute, Italy's dreams of advancing were dashed.

"They fought like warriors," said a visibly emotional coach Desiree Ellis, who herself was a founding member of the South Africa women's side back in 1993.

"They fought like the heroines that we know 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," said coach Desiree Ellis, emotionally reflecting on her team's remarkable achievement.

The Italians took the lead when Karabo Dhlamini fouled Italy's Chiara Beccari just inside the box in the 10th minute, leading to a penalty that Arianna Caruso converted into the bottom left corner of the net.

South Africa equalized in the 32nd minute with an own goal from Benedetta Orsi, who failed to check the position of goalkeeper Francesca Durante before making a back pass.

Banyana Banyana took the lead in the 67th minute when Thembi Kgatlana's precise pass found Hildah Magaia free behind the defensive line, and the forward calmly slotted it into the net.

Caruso scored her second goal of the match seven minutes later from a corner, with the ball accidentally hitting her hip in a goalmouth scramble and finding its way into the bottom right corner of the net.

In a frantic finale, it seemed Italy might hold on for a draw, but Magaia's pass found Kgatlana in the box, and the striker confidently smashed the ball into the net, securing second place in the group behind Sweden.