South Africa have done it! Banyana Banyana managed to hold the lead for once and beat Italy in their make-or-break Group G game in the Women’s World Cup. The Africans took the lead against Italy despite going behind first, making it 2-1 – but this dramatic game was far from over. Once again, they let their lead slip and allowed Italy to move into the knockouts with a 2-2 draw alongside group winners Sweden. But this time, captain Thembi Kgatlana helped break the spell and gave South Africa a 3-2 in the added time to leapfrog the Italians and book their place in the promised land.Italy started well against Banyana Banyana in Wellington, New Zealand and took the lead when Arianna Caruso converted an 11th-minute penalty after Chiara Beccari had been brought down in the area.SOUTH AFRICA KNOCK OUT ITALY TO REACH THE ROUND OF 16 WITH A LAST-MINUTE WINNER 🔥🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/XxICkzV7A0— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 2, 2023 South Africa had taken the lead in both their group games thus far but have failed to hold onto the win. This time, they found themselves in a different scenario.The women in blue were in complete control. Still, a moment of madness from defender Benedetta Orsi gave South Africa a lifeline, having decided to play a backpass to goalkeeper Francesca Durante. However, it was too strong, and the goalie couldn’t get to it as the ball rolled over the line and in the back of the net.As half-time arrived in both games, Sweden and Italy were going through. Both Argentina and South Africa needed goals to have any chance of claiming one of the top two places.##NAJAVA_MECA_7403417##Over in Hamilton, Argentina lost Florencia Bonsegundo through a severe knee injury, adding more problems to their inability to break down the Swedes.Sofia Jokobsson delivered a pinpoint cross onto Rebecka Blomqvist’s head, and the latter had an easy task to nod the ball into the net, and all secure the top spot for the Swedes, sending the Argentines home.Captain Thembi Kgatlana and Jermaine Seoposenwe both created chances for themselves before the hour mark, but neither could test Durante. But where they failed, Hildah Magaia succeeded. She picked up a clever no-look pass from Kgatlana and fired home to give her team the lead and lift them over Italy in the standings.South Africa reach the Women’s World Cup knockout stages for the first time ever 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/Gz5b2hOiLY— GOAL (@goal) August 2, 2023 However, holding on to leads has proved nearly impossible for the South African girls yet again. Arianna Caruso flicked in after a corner to restore parity and put Italy back in a favourable position. The VAR check was long, and the hope was palpable in the Banyana Banyana camp, but the goal stood anyway, giving the women in yellow shirts another task: either score or go home.Kgatlana grew into the game, leading by example and was on hand to score a dramatic winner for the second minute of added time. Magaia did well to burst into the box, keep her composure and square for her captain to cooly slot into the net and spark huge celebrations.What a goal!! 👏 👏🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇦🇺#WomensWorldCup – Group G🇳🇿Goal!⚽️🇿🇦South Africa [3]-2 Italy🇮🇹Thembi Kgatlana 90+2’@pmcafrica Desiree Goalkeeper Banyana Banyana pic.twitter.com/wrV86YFDwd— Peché Africa 🇿🇦 (@pmcafrica) August 2, 2023 There were another eight or nine minutes of added time still to go, but this time, Desiree Ellis’ players held on to the lead to seal passage to the round of 16.FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUPGroup GWednesdaySouth Africa – Italy 3-2 (1-1)/Orsi 32 og, Magaia 67, Kgatlana 90+2 – Caruso 11 pen, 74/Argentina – Sweden 0-2 (0-0)/Blomqvist 66, Rubensson 90 pen/
