- Bayana Bayana 3 – 2 Le Azzurre in historic first-ever victory
- Goalscorers: Arianna Caruso (11′, 74′), Benedetta Orsi (OG) (32′), Hildah Magaia (67′), Thembi Kgatlana (90+2′)
African Champions, Bayana Bayana of South Africa scored an added-time winner to stun Italy 3-2 at Wellington Regional Stadium and book their last-16 spot at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
The victory is historic for the South Africans as it gave them their first-ever win at the global football carnival. This is their second outing at the tournament, the first being the eighth edition hosted by France in 2019
The Italian women’s national team, nicknamed Le Azzurre (The Blues) were on the ascendency just after 11 minutes of play. They took the lead when Arianna Caruso slotted home low from the penalty spot after Chiara Beccari was fouled in the 18-yard box by Karabo Dhlamini.
Robyn Moodaly’s swerving shot struck the post 20 minutes before the South Africans were level on 32 minutes when Benedetta Orsi’s misplaced backpass skidded past her own goalkeeper Francesca Durante into the net
In an encounter in which the Italian Ladies needed only a point to advance to the next stage, Beccari almost restored their lead in the first half when her header came back off the post. However, they fell behind midway through the second half when Thembi Kgatlana slipped a clever pass through to Hildah Magaia to finish beyond keeper Durante.
Thembi Kgatlana’s dramatic late winner was enough for Banyana Banyana to set up a confrontation with the Netherlands in the tournament’s knockout stage.
