South Africa takes up 3rd place in the Group G division after their match with Argentina in the FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament. Both teams have earned a point; having played 2 games each – losing one and drawing in the other. Banyana Banyana seemed to be in control for most of the game, but much like their preceding match, exhaustion started to settle in the second half, after about 70 minutes. Argentina quickly snuck in their goals to equalise Banyana’s efforts.
South Africa Dominated the First Half of the WWC Match Against Argentina
Match statistics show that South Africa took a total of 8 shots in the first half, including its 2 goals, while Argentina only made 5. Linda Motlhalo experienced a wave of emotions after placing Banyana ahead by 1 goal in the 30th minute. Motlhalo slid the ball into the net from winger Thembi Kgatlana’s pass after Kgatlana had raced onto a long ball. The Argentinians did not defend this pass because they assumed Kgatlana was offside. VAR confirmed Kgatlana had been behind the last defender.
Argentina’s Counterattack in the Second Half Devastatingly Closed South Africa’s Lead
With a setup by Jermaine Seoposenwe, the talented Kgatlana sealed South Africa’s lead with a goal in the 66th minute. But before Banyana could celebrate a win, Sophia Braun surprised all with a remarkable long-range strike that curved into the corner of the net and resulted in a goal for Argentina in the 74th minute. Then just five minutes later, Romina Nunez’s scored with a header; levelling the match towards the end.
Coach Desiree Ellis was visibly disappointed. She said:
“It is about taking our chances. That’s the problem, we don’t take them, it comes back at us every time. If we had taken our chances, we would have had a different conversation.
Coach Desiree Ellis
South Africa has a final chance to impress. They will be facing Italy in the final round on Wednesday, 2 August 2023, at 9 am South African time.
