Sweden beat South Africa in the 2023 World Cup
* Scores: Fridolina Rolfo 65', Amanda Ilestedt 90' - Hildah Magaia 48'
When the final whistle sounded on Wellington Stadium, the Swedish players rushed to hug each other in joy. The team that won the bronze medal at the 2019 World Cup had to struggle to get all three points before South Africa - the second opponent to attend the tournament. Meanwhile, the African representative stood dumbfounded, goalkeeper Kaylin Swatt even burst into tears of disappointment when he thought he could help the home team earn the first score in the World Cup.
South Africa are the defending champions of Africa, but are underrated in the 2023 World Cup. They are currently 54th in the world, the third lowest ranked team out of 32 competing in Australia and New Zealand, just ahead of Morocco and Zambia. This is also only the second time South Africa has attended the World Cup after the first time in 2019 - where they lost all three group stage matches, conceded eight times and scored only one goal.
However, South Africa was surprised when it entered the competition against Sweden - a team 51 levels ahead of them in FIFA. The African representative stepped back in the squad, moved flexibly, and covered each other closely. Powerless before the "wall" of people in the middle, Sweden had to constantly put the ball out to the edge to find a way to cross. The ball was put a lot to Johanna Kaneryd on the right, but the number 19 was fiercely contested, so often missed, or incorrectly passed back.
Not only good defense, South Africa also many dangerous counter-attacks in the first half. In the 6th minute, Kholossa Biyana made the opponent's heart flutter with a shot down the bar. 10 minutes later, it was Refiloe Jane's turn to make a dangerous shot from long distance when the Swedish goalkeeper made a mistake, went out of the box and bounced the ball into the air. The most significant situation that coach Peter Gerhardsson's army had in the first half was when Filippa Angeldal hit the opponent's hand in the penalty area in the 32nd minute. They responded to a penalty of 11m, but after consulting VAR, the referee said no to the European representative.
In the second half, South Africa was even more surprised when opening the score in the 48th minute. Midfielder Bongeka Gameda waved the ball long, midfielder Refiloe Jane kicked the ball down to the deep right wing. It seemed that no South African player could keep up with this situation, Thembi Kgatlana with a very fast speed glided down, controlled and shot from a tight angle. Her finish sent the ball to the foot of center-back Amanda Ilesteds to change direction, making goalkeeper Zecira Musovic unable to catch. Hildah Gagaia rushed in at high speed, using her thighs to score. No. 8 and the ball rushed into the net, hit the bar under the goal, injured, lying motionless. Meanwhile, her teammates and the coaching staff danced to celebrate with their first goal at the 2023 World Cup.
Gagaia injured her wrist and could not continue playing. She burst into tears when she had to leave the field, making way for Gabriela Salgado 56 minutes. The sadness was even greater for Gagaia, when her teammates could not keep the results she created. Just 9 minutes after Gagaia left the field, South Africa lost the lead. After Johanna Kaneryd's cross, Lebohang Ramalepe missed, the ball accidentally hit Fridolina Rolfo's foot and changed direction into the net in a hopeless save by goalkeeper Kaylin Swatt.
After the 1-1 equalizer, Sweden continued to put all its attack power, the ball almost rolled on the opponent's court. South Africa lowered the squad, all 11 players at home to defend. They were very close to the first score in the World Cup, but dropped in the last minute. The Swedish player has an outstanding height, so he is dangerous in corner kick situations. In the 11th time to enjoy the corner kick, the European representative took advantage of the success, when Amanda Llestedt hit a high header from near the wall, setting the score 2-1.
