Argentina Holds South Africa At Women’s World Cup
Argentina came from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw with South Africa in their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Group G encounter, at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in New Zealand on Friday.
Banyana Banyana scored in either half through Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana and looked comfortable before Argentina scored twice in five minutes. Sophia Braun got the first with a superb strike, before a glancing header from Romina Nunez restored parity. Both sides pushed for a late winner, but a point was fair value.
#ARG and #RSA put on a show. 🤩#BeyondGreatness | #FIFAWWC
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 28, 2023
South Africa’s first Women’s World Cup point came at a cost, with captain Refiloe Jane stretchered off with an ankle injury. The team will also be without Kholosa Biyana for their final Group G match after she received her second yellow card of the tournament.
South Africa coach, Desiree Ellis, rued her team’s missed goal scoring opportunities while admitting that their decision-making in the final third was poor.
“We need to show a little bit of extra effort and take our chances. It’s the little details. We had the chance to win this game and, again, we just gave it away,” Ellis said.
“We created many opportunities. But [before the game] we spoke about decision-making and the importance of playing a pass to someone in a better position and, at times, we did not do that.
“When you create beautiful chances and don’t put them away, the result can end up like this,” she said.
South Africa striker, Thembi Kgatlana, expressed disappointment at the result, adding that the team lost focus at crucial moments in the game.
“We had the game in our pocket but we gave away two easy goals. That’s something we’ll need to improve going into our next match,” Kgatlana said.
“We need to keep 100 per cent focus, whether we are leading or not, and show a very good mentality until the referee blows the final whistle. Today, we made life difficult for ourselves.”
Friday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup results
Argentina 2-2 South Africa
England 1-0 Denmark.
FIFA/NAN/Jane Iyabode Aluko.
