South Africa eliminated Italy, Argentina in the Women's World Cup 2023

* Score: Orsi owns goal 32', Magaia 67', Kgatlana 90'+2 - Caruso pen 11' & 74'

South Africa ranked 54th on the FIFA rankings, while Italy ranked 16th. The 3-2 result in favor of the African representative was the second biggest surprise at the 2023 Women's World Cup. Before that, Zambia (77th FIFA) won. Costa Rica (36) with a score of 3-1.

On the Sky Stadium in Wellington, South Africa, they entered the match with the goal of forcing a win, but they were soon poured with cold water in the 11th minute. Karabo Dhlamini fouled Chiara Beccari in the penalty box, creating an opportunity for Arianna Caruso to kick 11m to open the scoring. number for Italy.

However, South Africa remained calm to attack Italy. In the 21st minute, Robyn Moodaly shot from a distance of about 25m and hit the ball to hit the post. However, 11 minutes later, the equalizer came to South Africa in an unbelievable way. Defender Benedetta Orsi passed straight into the goal but lacked observation of teammates' position, causing goalkeeper Francesca Durante, despite her efforts, to be unable to stop the ball from going into the net.

In the 67th minute, Orsi again made a mistake of passing the ball, letting Krabo Dhalmani catch the card and then organize a quick counterattack. Thembi Kgatlana sped into the box and then passed it back to Hildah Magaia to put the home team ahead 2-1. South Africa retreated to a deeper defence, but were still leveled 2-2 because of a moment of lack of concentration after 74 minutes. Caruso's corner from the left by-line was quick to score.

This time it was Italy's turn to defend and secure a draw, but when the referee announced 11 minutes of injury time, hope returned to South Africa. In the second minute, Magaia handled the technique right in front of the penalty area, eliminating all of the Italian defenders, and then passed the ball to Thembi Kgatlana to finish close to the goal to seal a 3-2 victory.

This is South Africa's first victory in the second time going to the Women's World Cup. They also became the third African team to reach the knockout stage, after Nigeria (1999, 2019, 2023) and Cameroon (2015, 2019).

In the match at the same time, Sweden beat Argentina 2-0 to top Group G with nine points. The victory over Italy helped South Africa finish second in the group with four points, leaving Italy (3 points) and Argentina (1 point) eliminated. In the 1/8 round, South Africa will face the defending runner-up Netherlands, while Sweden will meet the defending champion USA.

South Africa: Kaylin Swart, Lebohang Ramalepe, Noko Matlou, Karabo Dhlamini, Bambanani Mbane, Bongeka Gamede, Hildah Magaia, Linda Motlhalo, Jermaine Seoposnwe, Robyn Moodaly, Thembi Kgatlana

Italy: Francesca Durante, Benedetta Orsi, Lucia Di Guglielmo, Elena Linari, Lisa Boattin, Manuela Giugliano, Barbara Bonansea, Chiara Beccari, Giulia Dragoni, Arianna Caruso, Valentina Giacinti.