Sibulele Holweni (L) of South Africa celebrates with her teammate Noxolo Cesane after the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
WELLINGTON, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- South Africa earned an unexpected last-16 spot in the Women's World Cup with their historic win against Italy 3-2 here on Wednesday.
As Sweden had already qualified for the knockout stage, Italy, South Africa joined Argentina to compete for the rest of the round of 16 spots.
South Africa earlier picked up their first-ever point in the Women's World Cup in their second match against Argentina.
Italy needed to bounce back from a 5-0 loss at the hands of Sweden last time out. A draw would see them reach the round of 16, as long as Argentina do not beat Sweden in the other match in Group H, though victory would make the other result irrelevant.
Italy put their nose ahead in the 11th minute after Chiara Beccari was tripped down in the box, and Arianna Caruso kept her cool to convert the spot-kick.
The African side then put together a series of attempts and forced Benedetta Orsi to score a horrible own goal in the 32nd minute as the defender recklessly passed the ball into her own net.
South Africa kept sharp after the break and took the lead in the 67th minutes as Thembi Kgatlana's smart pass found Hildah Magaia to beat goalkeeper Francesca Durante.
The Azzurre fought back moments later when a corner found Caruso to flick it into the net.
However, South Africa turned around the game completely in the dying minutes from another combination between Kgatlana and Magaia. This time they switched roles as Kgatlana sealed the win from a close range.
After three group games, South Africa progressed out with a second finish on four points, while Sweden won the group after a 2-0 victory over Argentina.
Sweden will take on defending champion the U.S. in the next match, while South Africa is to play the Netherlands. ■
Arianna Caruso (C) of Italy shoots to score during the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Manuela Giugliano (bottom) of Italy reacts after the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Players of South Africa line up prior to the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Manuela Giugliano of Italy reacts after the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Bambanani Nolufefe Mbane (L) of South Africa celebrates with her teammate after the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Linda Maserame Motlhalo (R) of South Africa celebrates after the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Wendy Shongwe of South Africa celebrates after the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Noko Matlou of South Africa celebrates after the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Arianna Caruso (C) of Italy celebrates scoring during the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Players of South Africa celebrate after the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Arianna Caruso (4th R) celebrates her second goal during the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Qin Lang)
Sibulele Holweni (L) and Noxolo Cesane of South Africa celebrate after the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Qin Lang)
Players of Italy celebrate scoring during the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Qin Lang)
Hildah Magaia (L) of South Africa shoots during the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Qin Lang)
Hildah Magaia (bottom R) of South Africa shoots to score during the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Qin Lang)
Thembi Kgatlana (top) of South Africa celebrates scoring during the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Qin Lang)
Sibulele Holweni (2nd L) and Noxolo Cesane of South Africa celebrate after the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Qin Lang)
Italy's goalkeeper Francesca Durante fails to stop an own-goal scored by Italy's Benedetta Orsi the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Qin Lang)
Cristiana Girelli of Italy reacts after the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Qin Lang)
Sibulele Holweni (L) and Melinda Kgadiete of South Africa celebrate after the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Qin Lang)
Goalkeeper Kaylin Swart (2nd L) of South Africa makes a save during the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Qin Lang)
Benedetta Orsi (R) reacts after scoring an own-goal during the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Qin Lang)
Sibulele Holweni (R) and Noxolo Cesane of South Africa celebrate after the Group G match between South Africa and Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Qin Lang)
