Thembi Kgatlana scored a last-gasp winner to give South Africa a dramatic win over Italy that sent them through to the last 16 of the Women's World Cup at the expense of their opponents.
Striker Kgatlana struck two minutes into stoppage time to send her team off to Sydney to face the Netherlands on Sunday and break the hearts of the Italians, who had only needed a draw to progress.
Italy had appeared to salvage the draw they needed when Arianna Caruso scored from a corner in the 74th minute but were left to rue what could have been after a series of late missed chances.
South Africa are back in front against Italy thanks to Thembi Kgatlana's injury-time strike. They are on course for the knockout stages. Italy need to score again or they're heading home.
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 2, 2023
Watch the final moments here: https://t.co/1ncBhUXJWF pic.twitter.com/5stl2PDehJ
The Italians had opened the scoring when Karabo Dhlamini tripped Italy forward Chiara Beccari just inside the box in the tenth minute and Caruso converted the penalty with a confident shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
South Africa equalised in the 32nd minute through an own goal from Benedetta Orsi, who did not check where goalkeeper Francesca Durante was before making a backpass.
Banyana Banyana went ahead for the first time in the 67th minute when Kgatlana's neat inside pass found Hildah Magaia free behind the defensive line and the forward swept it home.
Hildah Magaia fires South Africa in front but the lead is short-lived as Arianna Caruso replies for Italy to put them back on course for the #WWC2023 last 16.
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 2, 2023
Watch live: https://t.co/1ncBhUXJWF pic.twitter.com/CNuB9unWz8
Caruso answered seven minutes later from a corner when the ball caught her hip in a goalmouth scramble and cannoned into the net.
It looked as though Italy might hang on for the draw in a frantic finale but Magaia's pass found Kgatlana in the box and the striker smashed the ball into the net to secure second place in the group behind Sweden.
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