Kgatlana scores late to send South Africa into the last 16 against Italy

South Africa defeated Italy 3-2 in stoppage time on Wednesday, sending the country into the knockout stages of a Women’s World Cup for the first time.

On a night of high drama and cold temperatures, Hilda Magaia scored in the 67th minute to put South Africa ahead 2-1 before Arianna Caruso equalised with her second goal of the match off a Cristiana Girelli corner, briefly denting South African hopes.

A draw would have been enough to advance eighth-ranked Italy to the knockout rounds.

Instead, South Africa will face the Netherlands in a round of 16 match on Sunday. Sweden won Group G after defeating Argentina 1-0 and will now face the defending champion United States.

Caruso’s 11th-minute penalty and Benedetta Orsi’s own goal earlier in the half tied the game 1-1 in Wellington, when a southerly wind dropped temperatures close to freezing and limited the attendance to roughly 10,000 people, largely South Africans.

In the 11th minute, Karabo Dhlamini tackled Chiara Beccarri from behind on the edge of the area, and Caruso fired her penalty kick low and to the right of Kaylin Swart for her first World Cup goal.

In the 32nd minute, Orsi mistimed her no-look pass back to Fransesca Durante, and the keeper’s sliding stop was too late to prevent the ball from going directly into the Italian goal.

Robyn Moodaly hit the post with a blistering right-foot drive in the 21st minute, and the VAR ruled out another Italy penalty for a hand ball before halftime. Italy enjoyed 66% possession and more chances in the first half, but South Africa had the majority of supporters who endured the rain.

The final two matches in Group G were played concurrently, with practically every option still in play. As South Africa and Italy began their final group encounter in front of a sparse audience, Sweden and Argentina began their play in Hamilton.

This introduced the prospect of overlapping finishes, with placings determined after one match still being dependent on the other.

Prior to Wednesday’s games, Sweden topped the group with six points and a goal differential of +6; Italy was second with three points, and Argentina and South Africa each had one point. That meant Sweden was definitely through to the round of 16, Italy was already in the knockout rounds, and Argentina and South Africa might still qualify with a win – depending on the results.

But South Africa’s chances were slim on Wednesday.

South Africa earned its first World Cup point five days ago when it tied Argentina 2-2. It led that game before Argentina scored two quick goals to tie it, and it also led before losing 2-1 to Sweden.

South Africa has already left an indelible stamp on the event. It’s always upbeat and happy to be on the huge stage. South Africa’s players sang and danced in their locker room and on the pitch as they warmed up before Wednesday’s encounter. They sang their song out loud at the conclusion to commemorate a historic event in South African women’s sport.