South Africa blew a rare opportunity to register its first-ever FIFA World Cup match victory in a 4-goal thriller against Argentina in Dunedin, New Zealand. 

Friday | July 28, 2023

South Africa (SA) took a 2-goal lead against Argentina only to throw it away with under 20 minutes remaining in the Women’s World Cup group match at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand, on Friday.

Smarting from a hard-to-swallow 2-1 defeat by Sweden last Sunday, Linda Mothlalo fired the adventurous Banyana Banyana/SA to a goal advantage on the 30th minute in the first half. Thembi Kgatlana raised the optimism ante when she doubled the edge in the 66th minute in the second half of the global spectacle.

Nevertheless, Argentina sprung back from an imminent defeat to level the scores 2-2 with goals from Sophia Braun (74′) and Romina Núñez (79). Both national teams earned their first point after equally losing their opening games to Sweden and Italy in Group G.

Italy sits on top with three points followed by Sweden with similar points and they face off on Saturday, July 29. SA lies 3rd and Argentina fourth on one point each before the final games on Wednesday, August 2, at 12h00 SAT.

Accordingly, depending on what happens between Italy and Sweden tomorrow, the group is still open for next round qualification in the FIFA (Federation of International Football Association) World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.